Hanoi-Style Vegan Pennywort Salad – Purr-fectly Delicious Recipe

Hanoi-style vegan pennywort salad is a refreshing, nutritious, and easy-to-make dish, perfect for hot summer days. With its unique flavor combining the fresh taste of pennywort and natural ingredients, this salad not only helps cool you down but also offers numerous health benefits. Let’s dive into the detailed recipe to prepare this enticing dish!

Why is Hanoi-Style Vegan Pennywort Salad Popular?

This vegan pennywort salad is not only famous for its light flavor but also loved for the excellent nutritional value it brings.

• Cooling and detoxifying: Pennywort has a cooling nature, effectively helping the body eliminate toxins, ideal during hot seasons.
• Skin care: Rich in antioxidants, pennywort supports slowing down aging and improving skin brightness and smoothness.
• Easy to digest: Light and high in fiber, this salad is suitable for all ages, from the elderly to children.
• Distinctive flavor: The mild richness of fried tofu, the nutty flavor of roasted peanuts, and the sweet and sour dressing create an unforgettable harmony.

“Vegan pennywort salad is a familiar dish in Hanoi’s culinary culture. The elegant, light flavor of this dish always wins the hearts of diners.” – Mrs. Minh, owner of a long-standing vegetarian restaurant on Hang Bong Street.

Hanoi-style vegan pennywort salad ingredients

Ingredients Needed

To make a Hanoi-style vegan pennywort salad, you will need the following ingredients:

• Fresh pennywort: 300g
• Fried tofu: 2 blocks (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Roasted peanuts: 50g (crushed)
• Carrot: 1 small (shredded)
• Cucumber: 1 (shredded)
• Herbs: Thai basil, cilantro (finely chopped)
• Fresh chili: 1-2 (depending on taste)
• Seasonings: vegan fish sauce, sugar, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, cooking oil

Tips for Prepping Pennywort Without Bitterness

Pennywort often has a slightly bitter taste, but with the following preparation method, you can effectively reduce this:

1. Clean thoroughly: Soak pennywort in lightly salted water for about 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly under running water.
2. Blanch briefly: Boil water, add a pinch of salt, and blanch the pennywort for 30 seconds. Then, immediately soak it in ice water to retain its green color and crispness.
3. Drain well: Gently squeeze the pennywort to remove excess water.

Blanching pennywort to reduce bitterness

How to Make the Perfect Salad Dressing

The salad dressing plays a crucial role in creating the perfect flavor of the dish. Here is a simple recipe:

• Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons vegan fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ tablespoon minced chili

• Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Adjust to taste.

“To enhance the flavor, you can sauté garlic in a bit of oil before mixing it into the dressing. However, make sure the mixture cools down completely before using.” – Ms. Huong, an experienced homemaker.

Detailed Steps for Mixing the Salad

1. Mix the pennywort: Place the prepped pennywort in a large bowl.
2. Add ingredients: Add the fried tofu, carrot, cucumber, herbs, and roasted peanuts.
3. Pour the dressing: Gradually pour the dressing over the ingredients, gently mixing with your hands or chopsticks.
4. Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. If you prefer it spicier, add fresh or powdered chili.
5. Serve: Arrange the salad on a plate, garnish with herbs and peanuts for an appealing presentation.

Finished Hanoi-style vegan pennywort salad

Tips to Keep the Vegan Pennywort Salad from Drying Out

To keep the salad fresh and moist, keep these tips in mind:

• Mix the salad just before serving: This helps the pennywort retain its crispness and prevents it from absorbing too much dressing.
• Adjust the amount of dressing: Use just enough to evenly coat the ingredients, avoiding excess.

What to Serve with Vegan Pennywort Salad?

Vegan pennywort salad can be paired flexibly with many dishes such as:

• White rice
• Fresh vermicelli noodles
• Rice paper rolls
• Or served as an appetizer in a vegetarian feast.

How to Store Vegan Pennywort Salad

The salad tastes best when enjoyed immediately after mixing. If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.

Conclusion

Hanoi-style vegan pennywort salad is a refreshing, nutrient-rich, and easy-to-prepare dish, perfect for changing up your summer meals. With the above recipe and tips, we hope you succeed in creating an authentic and delicious salad to treat your family and friends. Don’t forget to experiment with your favorite ingredients to make the dish even more diverse!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

• What are the benefits of pennywort? Pennywort helps cool the body, detoxify, improve skin health, and aid digestion.
• Is vegan pennywort salad good for health? Yes, this salad is rich in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and very beneficial for health.
• How to prevent pennywort from being bitter? Briefly blanch the pennywort and soak it in ice water.
• What can I serve with vegan pennywort salad? It can be served with rice, noodles, or rice paper rolls.
• What can I use instead of vegan fish sauce? You can use soy sauce or salt, but vegan fish sauce will give a richer flavor.
• Can I add other ingredients? Absolutely! Shredded green mango, cucumber, or various herbs are excellent additions.