Bun Cha Chay (Vegan Grilled Pork Noodles)

• परोसना: 2 servings
• सक्रिय समय: 45 minutes
• कुल समय: 1 hour 15 minutes

सामग्री

1 eggplant

250g chickpeas from a can

2 stalks lemongrass

1 small onion

2 cloves of garlic

15g cilantro

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup flour (add more if needed)

To serve

2 servings (200g) of rice noodles

1 lettuce

Herbs like cilantro, mint and Thai basil (optional)

Sauce

1/4 cup vegan fish sauce (sub with soy sauce)

1/4 cup sugar (or sweetener of choice)

2 tbsp rice vinegar

Juice from 1 lime

1 cup boiling water

minced garlic and chili (I used 3 cloves of garlic and 1 Thai chili pepper)

Thinly sliced carrot (optional)

निर्देश

For the Vegan Meatballs:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Slice the eggplant into thin slices and roast them in the oven for about 25 minutes or until softened, flipping them halfway through.

Prepare the lemongrass by bashing it with a rolling pin to release the flavors. Remove the tough outer leaves and roughly chop the lemongrass. Also, roughly chop the onion and garlic cloves.

In a food processor or blender, combine the chopped onion, garlic, cilantro, lemongrass, roasted eggplant and chickpeas. Blend them together until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl, then add the soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and flour to the mixture. Mix everything until well incorporated

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours or place it in the freezer for 20 minutes. Chilling the mixture will help it firm up, making it easier to shape into meatballs. If needed, add more flour to the mixture to achieve a firmer consistency.

After chilling, shape the mixture into meatball shapes. If necessary, you can roll them in a bit more flour to help them hold their shape.

You have two options for cooking the meatballs. You can either fry them in a pan until they are golden and crispy, or you can bake them in the oven until they achieve the desired texture. Choose the method you prefer.

To assemble:

Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse them under cold water and drain well.

Thinly slice the lettuce. You can also prepare additional herbs like cilantro, mint, and Thai basil if desired.

In a bowl, combine the vegan fish sauce (or soy sauce), sugar (or sweetener of choice), rice vinegar, lime juice, water, minced garlic, and chili. Mix everything well to create the sauce. You can adjust the sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness to your taste.

Divide the sauce into two serving bowls, add the vegan meatballs in.

Arrange the rice noodles, lettuce, cucumber, and herbs on separate plates.

To serve, add a small portion of rice noodles and herbs to your sauce bowl and enjoy. Repeat this step until you have finished all or most of the ingredients.

नोट्स

Variations

Alternatives for the ingredients for vegan meatballs: While the recipe suggests using eggplant and chickpeas for the meatballs, you can experiment with different vegetables like zucchini, sweet potatoes, or even cauliflower and substitute chickpeas with tofu.

You can also add various herbs and spices such as turmeric, cumin, or smoked paprika to enhance the flavors. Feel free to customize the dish based on your preferences and explore different combinations to create your unique twist on this Vietnamese classic.

Substitutes

Lemongrass: If you don't have access to fresh lemongrass, you can use lemongrass paste or omit it.

In place of vegan fish sauce, you can use soy sauce or coconut aminos (gluten-free option) to add the desired savory flavor.

If rice noodles are not readily available, you can substitute them with other types of Asian noodles such as wheat noodles, glass noodles and soba noodles.

Storage Tips

If you have leftover vegan meatballs, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you plan to store them for longer, freezing is a great option. Place the cooked meatballs in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they should keep well for up to 3 months.

The dipping sauce can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for about a week.

Remember to keep the rice noodles and vegetables separate from the sauce and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy, simply assemble the components and enjoy a fresh and delicious vegan Bun Cha meal!

पोषण

• सेवा का आकार: 1
• कैलोरीज़: 801
• कुल वसा: 3.4g
• संतृप्त वसा: 0.5g
• कोलेस्ट्रॉल: 0mg
• सोडियम: 3409mg
• कुल कार्बोहाइड्रेट: 159.8g
• आहार फाइबर: 21.6g
• कुल शर्करा: 32.9g
• प्रोटीन: 24g