The Cookery Class
After 2 attempts of recreating the wonderful Vietnamese dishes we have been eating, I realize that a tripadvisor rating of poor would be generous and decide that a cookery class in local dishes is a must. So this week, accompanied by my capable assistant chef, we head off to a local restaurant we visit regularly
to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine.
We planned to make 5 dishes and I am armed with my notebook and camera, Alan brings nothing, so guess who’s taking all the notes! Our friend and restaurant owner Tong and his wife spend the next 3 hours
teaching us to cook. They also patiently answer all my questions, on where to buy, how much, what’s the
Vietnamese word.
to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine.
We planned to make 5 dishes and I am armed with my notebook and camera, Alan brings nothing, so guess who’s taking all the notes! Our friend and restaurant owner Tong and his wife spend the next 3 hours
teaching us to cook. They also patiently answer all my questions, on where to buy, how much, what’s the
Vietnamese word.
Our fabulous Spring Rolls
We start with spring rolls and within 15 mins the mystery is solved…..this really isn’t as hard as we thought. Rolling the spring rolls is easy for women who have spent years wrapping all the Christmas gifts…..bet you wished you helped now Alan ! The technique requires some rolling and a few neat parcel
corners….nothing to it….maybe I can have a small stall at the local market with my homemade spring rolls complete with gourmet fillings.
corners….nothing to it….maybe I can have a small stall at the local market with my homemade spring rolls complete with gourmet fillings.
Next we make Banh Xeo country pancake, a local Hoi An specialty which we love and have eaten most days, and are at risk of overdose soon.
By the end of the session we have also mastered the famous “Pho Noodle Soup”, a wonderful local version of grilled mackerel and Eggplant in garlic all surprisingly simple. I have scribbled endless notes, taken pictures and drawn diagrams in case we can’t manage to recreate this feast. So not only does our cookery class involve the preparation but we then get to eat all of our cooking. Why on earth did I select 5 dishes……I don’t think I will eat again for a whole week.
So the menu for the next few days is planned we will recreate
this feast over 3 days…..easy I hope
By the end of the session we have also mastered the famous “Pho Noodle Soup”, a wonderful local version of grilled mackerel and Eggplant in garlic all surprisingly simple. I have scribbled endless notes, taken pictures and drawn diagrams in case we can’t manage to recreate this feast. So not only does our cookery class involve the preparation but we then get to eat all of our cooking. Why on earth did I select 5 dishes……I don’t think I will eat again for a whole week.
So the menu for the next few days is planned we will recreate
this feast over 3 days…..easy I hope