the quantity as needed to get more or less coconut flavor.
Basil is often used as a seasoning and garnish in Vietnamese cooking. Several types of basil are used; the most common is Asian Basil (known as horapa in Thailand), which is similar to European sweet basil. It is used liberally as a seasoning and sprigs are often added to platters of fresh, raw vegetables. Similar, yet paler in color, and with a distinctive lemony fragrance, lemon basil is used in soups and salads. Holy basil has distinctive purple-reddish leaves and a mint-like zesty flavor and is used for stir-fries. Basil doesn't store well, so buy it just before you intend to use it. European sweet basil may be used as a substitute for all varieties.
Coriander leaves or cilantro are the leaves of the coriander plant and are often referred to as Chinese parsley. In Vietnam, coriander leaves are used almost exclusively as a garnish. Fresh coriander leaves should keep for 5 to 6 days in the refrigerator if you wash and dry the leaves and store them in a plastic bag.
Curry powder is a spice blend made by combining ground spices that generally include cumin, coriander seeds, chilies, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Different spice combinations vary in color and flavor.
Fish sauce is the ubiquitous condiment used in almost every Vietnamese dish, just as salt or soy sauce are used in other cuisines. Made from salted, fermented fish or shrimp, it has a very pungent, salty flavor in its pure form. Fish sauce is often combined with other ingredients such as sugar, garlic and lime juice to make the various dipping sauces known as nuoc mam cham. Use sparingly and look for a quality brand for a better flavor. Refrigerate after opening.
Five spice powder is a blend of fragrant cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel seeds and Sichuan peppercorns. This reddish-brown powder is popular as a seasoning in Chinese cuisine and some Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Five spice powder is generally used in small amounts as it is quite strong. To keep fresh as long as possible, store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Hoisin sauce is a sweet, reddish-brown sauce made from soybeans, garlic, peppers and various spices. Commonly used as a table condiment and flavoring for meat, poultry and shellfish dishes, this Chinese sauce is sold bottled or canned. Bottled hoisin will keep indefinitely when refrigerated.
Lemongrass is an intensely fragrant stalk used to impart a lemony flavor. The thick lower part of the stem nearest the roots is the edible portion. Discard the thin upper end and the dry outer leaves until you reach the inner core, which should be moist and tender. When using the stalk, bruise it before cooking and remove it from the dish after cooking and before serving. Lemongrass is available fresh in most supermarkets.
Mint leaves, one of the most common Vietnamese herbs, are indispensable in Vietnamese salads. Mint grown in Southeast Asia has a very intense flavor, the closest equivalent elsewhere being spearmint although regular mint leaves may also be used.
Noodles made from rice, both fresh and dried, are widely used in Vietnamese cooking. White rice stick noodles (banh pho), which are similar to kway teow (sometimes called hofun or rice noodles), are used in Vietnam's classic breakfast dish, pho. If unavailable, the dried one can be used. Bun noodles (fresh or dried) are thick, round rice noodles that double their size and turn very white when cooked. Fine rice vermicelli (banh hoi) are similar to bun noodles, but thinner. Glass or cellophane noodles (mien in the north and bun tao in the south) are dried, translucent noodles made from mung bean starch, which are reconstituted by pouring hot water over them.
Rice vinegar is mild and faintly fragrant, and is the preferred vinegar throughout Southeast Asia. Inexpensive brands from China are readily available. If buying a Japanese rice vinegar, make sure you do not buy "sushi vinegar" or mirin, as this has sweet rice wine, sugar and salt added. If you cannot obtain rice vinegar, use distilled white vinegar and reduce the quantity by about a third.
Rice wine is fermented from freshly steamed rice and has a relatively low alcoholic content. Widely used in Asian cooking, it is readily available in bottles. Japanese sake or dry sherry can be used as a substitute.
Star anise is a star-shaped, eight-pointed pod from an evergreen tree grown in northern Vietnam. It has the pungent flavor of aniseed or licorice. Used most often in soups (pho, in particular) or other recipes requiring long simmering, star anise is available whole or ground. If used whole, discard before serving.
Tamarind is a large, brown tree pod with a soft, sour pulp and hard, black seeds inside. Tamarind pulp is rich in vitamin C and has a tangy, acidic taste. It is used as a souring agent throughout the world. It can be bought fresh, dried, or in pulp form, and the pulp is commonly sold in compressed blocks, with the seeds removed. To make tamarind juice, mix 1 tablespoon of the dried tamarind pulp with 2 tablespoons of warm water, then mash well and strain to remove the seeds and fibers.
Caramel Sauce
This sweet-salty cooking sauce, the basis for the many 'caramel' meat and seafood dishes in Vietnamese cooking, should be prepared fresh each time a recipe calls for it. It is simple to put together and the results are delicious.
135 g (2/3 cup) sugar
125 ml (½ cup) fish sauce
8 shallots, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Heat the sugar over low heat in a skillet, stirring constantly, until it begins to melt and caramelize, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the fish sauce. Return the pan to the heat and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Simmer uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture turns into a thick syrup. Add the shallot and black pepper, mix well and remove from the heat.
Makes 135 ml (2/3 cup)
Preparation time: 5 mins
Cooking time: 10 mins
Crispy Fried Shallots
4 tablespoons oil
6 shallots, thinly sliced
Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat and stir-fry the shallot for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Keep immediately in a sealed jar to retain crispness.
Yields 50 g (¼ cup)
Preparation time: 5 mins
Cooking time: 3 mins
Chicken Stock
3 liters (12 cups) water
1 fresh chicken (about 1½ kg/3 lbs)
1 tablespoon white peppercorns
150 g (1 cup) sliced onion
1 medium carrot, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
Bring all the ingredients to a boil in a stockpot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, skimming off the foam and fat that float to the surface, until the stock is reduced to half. Remove from the heat, strain the stock and set aside to cool.
Yields 1½ liters (6 cups)
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 2 hours
Fish Sauce Dip (Nuoc Cham)
2 to 3 finger-length chilies, deseeded and sliced
3 cloves garlic
50 g (¼ cup) sugar
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon