Banh mi with xiu mai is a signature dish from the misty land of Da Lat. On chilly days, enjoying chewy, rich xiu mai balls with crispy bread is nothing short of wonderful. If you want to try making this dish yourself to treat your family, don’t miss the guide on how to make xiu mai with tomato sauce in the article below.
Xiu mai is a dish that originated in China but is now found in many Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam. The recipe for xiu mai typically uses ground pork, green onions, and onions combined with tomato sauce. This dish is often served for breakfast, accompanied by bread or white rice.
Ingredient Preparation
The method for making Da Lat-style xiu mai is a recipe many people search for. Just prepare the ingredients and follow the instructions below, and you’ll have a delicious, authentic dish. With a few minutes of preparation and cooking, you can create a nutritious breakfast that the whole family will love.
- 200g ground pork
- 3 baguettes (2 for serving and 1 to crumble and mix with the meat)
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 3 shallots
- 1 jicama
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 5 sprigs of cilantro
- 200ml cooking oil
- Various seasonings
Guide to Making Authentic Xiu Mai with Tomato Sauce to Eat with Banh Mi
After gathering all the necessary ingredients, follow these instructions:
Preparing the Ingredients
The prepared ingredients for xiu mai need to be processed as follows:
Peel the onion, then finely dice one half and cut the other half into wedges. Wash the tomatoes and dice them. Peel the shallots, wash them, and mince them finely. Similarly, peel the jicama and dice it finely. Pick and wash the green onions and cilantro, then chop them. Crush the bread until it crumbles.
Marinate the Ingredients
In a bowl, combine the ground pork, diced onion, diced jicama, half of the minced shallots, and the bread crumbs. Add 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper. After adding the green onions, mix all the ingredients well and let them sit for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Shaping and Frying the Xiu Mai Balls
Next, take a sufficient amount of the meat mixture, place it in the palm of your hand, and roll it into a round ball. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used up.
Place a pan on the stove, add about 200ml of cooking oil, and heat it up. Once the oil is hot, gently drop the xiu mai balls into the pan and deep-fry them over medium heat. When the xiu mai turns golden brown, turn off the heat.
How to Make Xiu Mai with Tomato Sauce
Heat a pot and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, then sauté the minced shallots until fragrant. Next, add the tomatoes and stir-fry until they are completely softened.
Continue by adding 300ml of water and bring it to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Stir well to dissolve the seasonings, then gently drop the fried xiu mai balls into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the onion wedges and cook for an additional 5 minutes before turning off the heat.
Garnishing the Dish
Scoop the xiu mai and some tomato sauce into a bowl, sprinkle a little ground pepper, and garnish with a few sprigs of cilantro before enjoying. With that, you have completed the recipe for making xiu mai with tomato sauce.
The pork xiu mai balls are tender and flavorful, featuring the fresh sweetness of onions and jicama blended with the sweet minced meat. They are combined with a rich tomato sauce, creating an appealing dish with vibrant colors.
Some Tips for Selecting Ingredients to Make a Delicious Dish
To achieve an authentic and delicious Da Lat-style banh mi xiu mai, the selection of ingredients plays a crucial role. Here are some tips you should consider during this process:
- Choose pork belly with a balanced ratio of lean meat and fat to ensure a better texture when minced.
- Opt for fresh and high-quality pork belly, which can be minced at home or by the seller.
- Good quality pork belly should have normal elasticity and good stretch. The pork skin should be smooth, not rough, and not too greasy or dry.
- Select pork with a bright red color (avoid pieces that are dark red or blood-red).
- Avoid buying meat that is dark or has many bruises, or appears old.
- Tomatoes should also be carefully selected to pair well with the pork belly, enhancing the flavor of the xiu mai. Choose tomatoes that are bright red and shiny. When pressed, they should have a certain softness.
These are the instructions for making xiu mai with tomato sauce that you shouldn’t miss. Give it a try and prepare it for your family. Don’t forget to visit FoodVietnamese.com to update yourself with the latest recipes every day.
