Vietnamese banana chewy candy recipe

Watch how to make Vietnamese banana chewy candy on VansKitchen Youtube

In Vietnamese: Video cách làm kẹo chuối 

Since it climate is tropical, Vietnam is truly a heaven when it comes to fruit. Just considering bananas alone, there are so many varieties that I cannot even remember all of their names. Vietnamese people create many delicious foods with bananas, lest they go to waste.

This banana chewy candy is one of most popular candies in southern Vietnam. It has fabulous fruity flavors from banana, pineapple, coconut and more.  Your guests won't be able to resist these tempting tropical candies this Christmas!

Sweet potato bars recipe

Watch how to make sweet potato bars on Van's Kitchen Youtube 

Blog in Vietnamese: Video: Cách làm bánh khoai lang nướng 

My recipe keeper for left-over sweet potato from Thanksgiving. Very moist and delicious!

Kabocha pumpkin buns recipe

Watch how to make pumpkin buns on Van's Kitchen Youtube.
Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm bánh mì bí đỏ

Even though Phoenix does not have 4 seasons in my eyes (no leaves changing colors in the Fall, snow in the winter, or trees budding in the spring), I love to cook with seasonal ingredients. Not only are the prices great, everything seems to taste better when it's in season. 
This kabocha pumpkin bun is one of my favorite things to make in the Fall. It's healthy, and a very convenient snack to have along for outdoor activities. It's tasty too!

Vietnamese savory mini pancakes recipe (Bánh khọt)

Watch video how to make Vietnamese savory mini pancakes on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm bánh khọt

Bánh khọt (mini pancakes) is similar to the popular bánh xèo (Vietnamese crepe). It has a crispy golden crust with a hint of coconut milk, the light sweetness of mung bean, and garlic marinated shrimp. But what I love about Bánh khọt is all the green vegetables served with it. Herbs and lettuce add more flavor and and a crispy texture. And dipping in the sweet and sour sauce really helps balance the taste. Light, healthy and satisfying!

Kabocha pumpkin flan recipe

Watch how to make Kabocha pumpkin flan on the Van's Kitchen Youtube
Blog in Vietnamese: Video: Cách làm bánh flan bí đỏ

Autumn is finally here in Phoenix, with cool crisp nights and pumpkins piled in front of the stores. This pumpkin crème caramel is a great sweet welcome the season.
It's also great for a busy holiday schedule, since I can make it ahead of time and chill in the fridge until serving. The pumpkin flavor, smooth texture, and caramelized sugar are so great.
If you're looking for a unique dessert to celebrate Fall, this is an excellent choice.

Vietnamese rare beef salad with water spinach recipe

Watch the video how to make Vietnamese rare beef salad with water spinach recipe on the Van's Kitchen Youtube.

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm nộm rau muống thịt bò

This rare beef salad with water spinach is packed with delicious flavors -- peanut, shallot, lime, chili, and fresh herbs. It's topped with a homemade dressing. The crunchy texture of water spinach adds kick to the salad. It would be great to serve as a light main course salad.

Traditional Mooncake Recipe

Watch my video how to make mooncake on the Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm bánh trung thu 

The Moon Festival is right around the corner! It's a special festival for children in Vietnam. On this day, the children light the lanterns and walk around their neighborhoods, enjoy lion dances, and other fun activities. Mooncakes are a popular treat to serve at gatherings of friends and family on this special day.

Strawberry cream cheese ice cream recipe

Watch my video how to make Strawberry Cream Cheese Ice Cream on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm kem pho mai dâu 

Summer is a great time for strawberry desserts, and strawberry cream cheese ice cream is one of our favorites! This is an amazing homemade ice cream, full of rich flavor and creamy texture. The cream cheese enhances the flavor of the strawberries very well. This is a perfect dessert in the summer when strawberries are on sale.

How to make Chicken Floss (Dried Shredded Chicken)

Watch my video how to make Chicken Floss (Dried Shredded Chicken) on Van's Kitchen Youtube.

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm chà bông gà

Meat floss is a popular dry condiment in Vietnam that is generally sprinkled over cooked rice, porridge, baguette sandwiches, and various other foods. It's a unique seasoning, and a convenient food to make delicious meals fast. I'll never again be forced to go to a fast-food restaurant for a quick meal with this prepared food already in my fridge (^-^)

Steamed sponge cake with pandan coconut pastry cream (Mount Fuji sponge cake)

Watch my video how to make Mount Fuji sponge cake on the Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm bánh bông lan Phú Sĩ

Judging by the name of this cake, you might think it came from Japan. But take a peek at the ingredients--pandan leaf extract and coconut milk are not typically used in Japan. This is actually a popular snack in Vietnam. It's a great representation of a mix between Western-style dessert and traditional Vietnamese flavors. The cake is made with eggs, sugar and flour, but the baking style is a little different. Ovens are rarely found in Vietnamese kitchens even to this day, so we use a steaming method to bake this sponge cake.

The pastry cream is just a dream combined with the two distinctly Vietnamese flavors that go so well together: coconut milk and pandan leaf extract (sometimes called "Asian vanilla"). Add to that the light, soft, moist sponge cake, and this recipe has it all!

Mango frozen yogurt recipe

Watch my video how to make mango frozen yogurt on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm kem da ua xoài

In the middle of a super hot Phoenix summer, this mango frozen yogurt is exactly what I need. It's the perfect choice to cool off at the end a sweltering day! (^-^)

Frozen yogurt is a lighter, healthier option than ice cream, since it is made with yogurt instead of fatty cream. However, if you're going for a creamy result, you can opt to use full fat yogurt. Greek yogurt is super thick and creamy, with a delightfully tangy taste. Whole milk Greek yogurt is always the best choice for frozen yogurt. 

Vietnamese fish cake recipe

Watch my video how to make Vietnamese fish cake on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm chả cá

Vietnamese fish cake is popular in Vietnam, both as a street food and a homemade food. It's usually served with rice or noodles. Fish cakes made from Spanish mackerel or featherbacks seem to be the most popular. Unfortunately, I cannot get these fish fresh at local grocery stores, so I always end up using tilapia. But the result is still very good. With just a little flour added in, you can enjoy the taste of fresh fish with every bite.

The traditional method is to use a mortar and pestle, and pound by hand to bring out the fish paste's chewy texture. But I use a Kitchenaid stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Cooking is so much more fun with this great kitchen tool (^-^)

Steamed cassava with sesame condiment

Watch my video how to make steamed cassava with sesame condiment on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Cách làm khoai mì hấp

Steamed cassava with sesame condiment and shredded coconut is a delicious snack. It was a major staple food during Vietnam war, but nowadays it has became one of the most popular street foods in Vietnam. Peel the skin and soak them as long as you can (I soaked for only one night, but it may be better to soak longer if you can--18 hours or more). Then after soaking, just a few simple steps you can quickly finish a yummy snack!

Vietnamese tapioca dumplings recipe

♥Blog in Vietnamese:  Video cách làm bánh bột lọc 

♥Watch my video how to make Vietnamese tapioca dumplings on Van's Kitchen Youtube.

Banh bot loc has been the most requested recipe since I started making cooking videos. It was one of my favorite foods during my childhood in Vietnam. I can still remember having fun making these dumplings with my sister. She always made the dough, and I helped with making dumplings. Of course, we did not have modern conveniences like KitchenAid mixer, so my sister always kneaded the dough by hand. This was also the food I always pretended to make before I could make real food. I substituted grass for the chives, and tried to chop it as finely as possible. It was so much fun!

Homemade Vietnamese Yogurt

♥Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm da ua sữa chua tại nhà 

♥Watch my video how to make Vietnamese yogurt at home on the Van's Kitchen channel Yotube

Making yogurt is so easy and economical. And it's so yummy! Most of store-bought yogurt I've tried is either too plain or too sweet. My homemade yogurt turns out just great. Making yogurt has become a regular routine in my home now, and it's really easy with a yogurt maker. I use Yogourmet yogurt culture which has additional probiotics. But if you can't find it, you can use plain yogurt with live cultures as a starter. In that case, look at the ingredients list to make sure Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are included.

Cha Hue recipe - Vietnamese Hue style ham

♥Blog in Vietnamese: Video: Cách làm chả Huế, giò sống

♥Watch my video how to make Cha Hue (Vietnamese ham) on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Another authentic Vietnamese taste: Cha Hue, literally Hue style ham or pork roll, is a delicious finger food made of lean pork, tapioca flour, garlic, black pepper and nuoc mam (fish sauce). You'll never want the preservative-loaded store-bought version again. It can be eaten hot or at room temperature, or added in Bun Bo Hue.

Che dau van recipe - Vietnamese bean dessert

♥Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách nấu chè đậu ván

♥Watch my video how to make Che dau van on Van's Kitchen Youtube

There are many types of bean desserts in Vietnamese cuisine. But Che Dau Van is my most favorite! On the package of Dau Van beans I bought from an Asian grocery store, it's translated into English as "Broad Beans." But after doing some research on Wikipedia, I realized that the plant, shape, and color of broad beans is not the same as the Dau Van we use to make Che Dau Van in Vietnam. Rather, "Hyacinth bean" is the English name for the bean we use in this sweet. Good thing that I chose Dau Van at the store by looking for its special shape, and more than that, that I could read Vietnamese! If you want to try this dessert out, be sure to pick up the right bean! (^^)

In my efforts to make this dessert both appear good and taste good, I have to confess that I have failed 3 times trying to make this dessert before. It turned out that either the beans fell apart and got mushy, or they held their shape, but were too hard. This dessert requires a delicate balance: tenderness while preserving the bean shape.

So here comes the new way: steaming the beans by a pressure cooker! It is just a great way to cook the beans perfectly as they are supposed to be. And on top of that, it is super fast!

Banh it tran - Vietnamese sticky rice dumplings

♥Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm bánh ít trần

♥Watch my video how to make Vietnamese sticky rice dumplings on Van's Kitchen Youtube

After making some mochi dough with my food processor, I am not so afraid of working with the sticky mess of the mochi dough any more. So, here are some savory sticky rice dumplings.

Banh it tran (literally, "the naked small cake"), is a bean-filled glutinous ball, served as an appetizer or part of a main course, or even as a snack. Dip them in a light fish sauce and serve with pickled carrot and daikon. They're so tasty and unique!

Bun Bo Hue, Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup

♥Blog in Vietnamese: Bún Bò Huế

♥Watch my video how to make Bun Bo Hue Spicy beef noodle soup on Youtube.

When it comes to Vietnamese noodles, Phở is the most popular. But if you love spicy food, Bún Bò Huế is a must try! Literally, the name "Bún Bò Huế" means "Huế-style beef noodle". Huế is the former capital of Vietnam, located in the center of the country. One distinguishing trait of Huế cuisine is that it is often very spicy.

You can order Bún Bò Huế at just about any food vendor in Vietnam. It is one of the most popular dishes there, served as breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. You can adjust the spiciness to taste when you eat it. It's very tasty, with a hint of zesty lemon flavor and a nice lemongrass aroma.

No-bake orange cheesecake with mango (Orange cheesecake mousse)

♥Blog in Vietnamese: Bánh cheesecake xoài nhân rau câu cam

♥Watch my video how to make this no-bake orange cheesecake with mango on Youtube.

It is always so much fun to play around with baking to me. When it comes to a family event or a special occasion, a nice dessert to bring the party to a close is great.
This no-bake orange cheesecake with mango is not hard at all, but it’s very fun to make and the cake turns out awesome. Each bite of the cake is a nice surprise with the great combination of soft cheese mousse, jelly orange, and the light texture of sponge cake. If you love to bake, but get tired of simple desserts, this original recipe is from my home to yours.

Vietnamese sweet and sour fish soup

Watch my video how-to make Vietnamese sweet and sour fish soup on Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Canh chua

When it comes to soup, we usually think of it as a winter comfort food. But in Southern Vietnam, there are only sunny and rainy seasons. And we actually have tons of varieties of soups! One example is sweet and sour fish soup, or canh chua in Vietnamese, a popular soup that you can order at just about any restaurant or food vendor. It actually tastes heavenly when the weather is hot. It has the perfect blend of sweet, sour and spice, with more than three types of fresh herbs which really enhance the flavor.

Vietnamese gluten and dairy-free coconut honeycomb cake

Watch how-to make Vietnamese gluten and dairy-free coconut honeycomb cake on Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Bánh bò nướng

Coconut honeycomb cake, or Bánh bò nướng in Vietnamese, is a gluten and dairy free cake with a slightly chewy texture and an interesting honeycomb-like pattern, due to air bubbles in the cake.

I am so glad that I stumbled upon this unique recipe. When I saw the attractive images on Jules Food Blog I couldn't wait to give it a try. As you see, I did it! I was so happy that it turned out well the first time I tried. The cake came out with a pretty honeycomb texture, which I've heard is the hard part. 

Sticky rice sweet dumplings

 

Watch how-to make Sticky rice sweet dumplings on Van's Kitchen Youtube

Blog in Vietnamese: Video cách làm chè trôi nước 

A great dessert for gluten-free diets! Sticky rice sweet dumplings, aka "Chè trôi nước" in Vietnamese, is similar to Daifuku in Japanese cuisine, or Tangyuan in Chinese, but instead of red beans, we use mung bean. Like all types of rice and bean, sticky rice and mung beans don't contain dietary gluten. Isn't that great?

These mochi balls are nice to eat, but I know most people are afraid to work with the gooey, sticky mess of the mochi dough. So I decided to make the mochi dough by using food processor, and it worked out well! No more afraid of working with the gooey, sticky mess of the mochi dough!

Vietnamese pomelo fruit salad - Hello Spring!

Watch how-to make Vietnamese pomelo fruit salad on Van's Kitchen Youtube.

Blog in Vietnamese: Gỏi bưởi

Spring has come to Phoenix! Here and there, cactus flowers are showing up. The cheerful yellow color of Palo Verde is spreading along the road. It is just so beautiful!

There is also all sorts of fresh produce available at the farmers market right now. I am so happy to find a pomelo fruit there with no need to run to an Asian grocery store to get one. Pomelo fruit salad is one of my most favorite salads. Besides many great things about this fruit (low in calories, rich in vitamin C, known to reduce body fat and regulating blood pressure), this salad is very refreshing and delicious. It is so tempting to eat much without worry.

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