Soy Chicken Wing Noodles, Rice Bowls, Banh Mi – Uyen Luu's Budget Vietnamese Recipes
My family were refugees in the UK. My mother didn't speak English and only had a small income sewing blouses. My little brother and I were relying on school lunches, but we came home to simple but gloriously delicious meals. The sweet smell of steaming rice alongside fried shallots and garlic can turn your appetite into a ferocious monster. My mother has the Vietnamese way of never forgetting to balance sweet, salty, sour and fresh. These meals have always been happy and I always eat like this.
Having simple ingredients at home – garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, apple cider vinegar and a spoonful of sugar – can transform a can of tuna or a few eggs in economical and joyful meals. Add a crop of invigorating herbs and refreshing vegetables to add quality and balance to every meal. By adding sweet, sour and savory flavors to the dishes you cook, most of the work is done to meet the needs of the meals and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money and take a lot of time.
I love using cheaper but tasty cuts like free-range chicken wings or the humble, sustainable mackerel with an array of seasonal vegetables and tofu at home. They make fantastic weekday meals as well as weekend feasts - the secret is in combining kitchen essentials with a touch of freshness in every serving. Don't be afraid to substitute ingredients and use what's available. If you don't have marmalade, use sugar, if you don't have lime, use vinegar, etc. Look in the back of your fridge and cupboard and use the pickled preserves.
The best meals are always the simplest like these because they're balanced and colorful , especially w...
My family were refugees in the UK. My mother didn't speak English and only had a small income sewing blouses. My little brother and I were relying on school lunches, but we came home to simple but gloriously delicious meals. The sweet smell of steaming rice alongside fried shallots and garlic can turn your appetite into a ferocious monster. My mother has the Vietnamese way of never forgetting to balance sweet, salty, sour and fresh. These meals have always been happy and I always eat like this.
Having simple ingredients at home – garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, apple cider vinegar and a spoonful of sugar – can transform a can of tuna or a few eggs in economical and joyful meals. Add a crop of invigorating herbs and refreshing vegetables to add quality and balance to every meal. By adding sweet, sour and savory flavors to the dishes you cook, most of the work is done to meet the needs of the meals and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money and take a lot of time.
I love using cheaper but tasty cuts like free-range chicken wings or the humble, sustainable mackerel with an array of seasonal vegetables and tofu at home. They make fantastic weekday meals as well as weekend feasts - the secret is in combining kitchen essentials with a touch of freshness in every serving. Don't be afraid to substitute ingredients and use what's available. If you don't have marmalade, use sugar, if you don't have lime, use vinegar, etc. Look in the back of your fridge and cupboard and use the pickled preserves.
The best meals are always the simplest like these because they're balanced and colorful , especially w...
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