Bún Cà Chiên (Vermicelli with Fried Eggplant )

An easy to make refreshing vegan noodle bowl.

Ingredients:
-1 large Chinese eggplant
-2 heaped tbs each: all purpose flour, rice flour, tapioca starch
-1 tsp baking powder
-10 tbs water
-pinch of 5 spice powder
-pinch of salt and sugar
-oil for frying eggplants
-Rice vermicelli
-bean sprouts, assorted fresh herbs
-roasted peanuts (crushed)

What to Do:
Boil vermicelli and drain. Wash eggplant and cut into long pieces. Mix together flours, baking powder, water, 5 spice powder with salt and sugar to form a smooth batter. Dip egg plants in batter and deep fry until golden. Serve with noodles, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, crushed peanuts and vegan fish sauce.

***Because my vegetarian dishes are prepared with “Buddhist Laws” in mind; besides not using meats and animal products, I do not use garlic, onions, leeks, chives, or any type of alcohol. However, if your main goal in being vegan cooking is to just avoid meats, feel free to add the any of the mentioned above to spice up you dishes.***

Steamed Raisin Cake

Ingredients

90 g Flour
3 Eggs
70 g Castor Sugar
50 g Raisins
few Oil or Butter (to grease mould)

Note: Raisins can be replaced by other types of dried fruits.

Method

1. Sift flour well and set aside. Separate egg yolks from egg white.

2. Beat egg white in a bwol until soft peak forms.

3. Gradually add in sugar, continue beating.

4. Add in yolks and beat until stiff.

5. Add in flour and stir quickly.

6. Add in raisins and stir.

7. Pour the mixture into a well-greased round or square shallow tray. Steam for 10 minutes.

Nước Mắm Pha Chay (Vegan Fish Sauce)

This is the Vegan version for the fish sauce commonly used for noodles and spring rolls.

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup sugar
-3/4 cup water or coconut juice
-1 ½ tsp salt
-Thai chilies, white cabbage
-soy sauce
-lime juice

What to Do:
Chop chilies and cabbage (cabbage to imitate the looks of garlic). Mix everything together and give a taste test all flavors should be even. Finally add a few drops of soy sauce for color. The final results should look and taste somewhat like the ‘real’ fish sauce.

***Because my vegetarian dishes are prepared with “Buddhist Laws” in mind; besides not using meats and animal products, I do not use garlic, onions, leeks, chives, or any type of alcohol. However, if your main goal in being vegan cooking is to just avoid meats, feel free to add the any of the mentioned above to spice up you dishes.***