I’m having a Vietnamese moment

I love Asian food. Living in Singapore for two years was heaven. All that gorgeous Nonya, Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Indonesian and Vietnamese food to scoff morning, noon and night. And usually only $2-$3 a plate.

Ah, those were the (early Noughty) days!

While Malaysian is probably my favourite cuisine on the planet: char kway teow, chicken capitan, beef rendang, roti … When I’m feeling more my-body-is-a-temple I go for Vietnamese. It feels “cleaner” and “fresher” somehow, despite the fact there’s sugar in everything.

So I decided it was time to indulge in a little Vietnamese at home … and went to bed a very happy woman last night.

Recipe: Vietnamese duck salad

• 2 roasted duck breast fillets, finely sliced
• 1/2 Chinese cabbage, finely shredded
• 2 carrots, peeled, cut into matchsticks
• 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 1/3 cup fish sauce
• 1/2 tsp sambal oelek
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tsp bottled crushed ginger
• 1 clove garlic, crushed

METHOD: Combine duck, cabbage, carrots and peanuts in a large bowl. Place the rest of the ingredients in a food processor and blitz to combine. Pour over the salad. Toss to combine. Salt to taste. Serve.

(NB I’ll try it with shredded chicken breast next time as DD isn’t a duck fan.)

Very yummy! I’ll be doing the Vietnamese thing again very soon.

What’s your favourite Asian dish?

Song of the day: Crowded House “Better be home soon”