Sandwich shop goodies 10 – Bánh chuối nướng (Vietnamese banana bread pudding)
Every now and then I feel blessed to grow up in the tropics. It doesn’t let you wear scarves and gloves, but it has bananas. Many types of bananas. There are at least 10 common cultivars in Vietnam, most are for eating fresh as a fruit, some for eating raw as a veggie with wraps, and one is particularly favorable to be cooked in desserts. And desserts with bananas are just about the most addictive thing out there.
Take this banana bread pudding for instance. I intended to cut one little slice each day to savor it for over a week, but next thing I knew I was gorging half the slab after dinner. The bread is part chewy, part spongy, mostly firm, juiced up by a semisweet layer of sliced banana on top. It needs no sauce, no ice cream, no chocolate. It is good both at room temperature and right out of the fridge.
The description simply can’t capture how delicious this thing is. And it’s not even a well made banana bread pudding, you know, the type of treat that grandmother would make at home or the recipe that a vendor has perfected over ten years of peddling dessert banh’s.
It’s just a cling-wrapped 3.75-dollar piece of cake that I bought from a banh mi store. It has only one layer of bread and one layer of banana. And it is Cavendish banana, the most popular type, if not the only type at many grocery stores, of banana that Americans have known and loved.
Not that I have anything against Cavendish bananas. They’re big. They’re alright for eating fresh. But a Cavendish’s flesh is no match for chuối sứ when it comes to cooking dessert.
Chuối sứ, literally ambassador (“sứ”) banana (“chuối”), was brought to the Vietnamese royal courts by Thai ambassadors (hence it’s also called “chuối xiêm”, as “Xiêm” is another word for Thai). Like most bananas, chuoi su is considered native throughout Southeast Asia, where it’s known as siusok (Philippines), kluai namwa daeng (Thailand), and pisang siem (Indonesia). Scientifically, it is categorized under Triploid ABB, Musa x paradisiaca, although the latter is disputable as a general name for all bananas.
What I don’t get is the ABB classification. It signifies a below-average score, while Cavendish, a Musa acuminata, is in the AA group. Sure, chuoi su is shorter than Cavendish (less than the length of my hand from wrist to finger tip), but it is stout like a good bratwurst. In practice, chuoi su is more favorable for both eating and cooking because of its firm flesh, slightly gummy texture, and raisin-like sweetness, all of which can endure simmering, grilling, baking, steaming, and boiling. The banana just wouldn’t fall apart or lose its “honey”.
The best part is, it’s easy to grow, so it’s among the cheapest types of bananas in Vietnam’s markets. Not in America though. Which is why the banana bread pudding I have here tastes slightly sticky in the back of the throat and not as sweet as it could be. Nonetheless, it’s the champ of all sweet goodies we’ve gotten from banh mi stores so far.
Buy it: Kim’s Sandwiches, 1816 Tully Rd 182, San Jose, CA
Bake it: Bánh chuối nướng recipe
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh bò bông (steamed sponge cupcake)
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies : steamed cassava
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
1The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
2Thanks, I’ve recently been looking for info approximately this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the supply?
3Great blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
4I am constantly thought about this, thanks for posting.
5I genuinely value your piece of work, Great post.
6I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for beginners. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
7I found your weblog website on google and check just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the very good operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for ahead to studying extra from you later on!…
8Some truly fantastic content on this web site, thank you for contribution. “We are always in search of the redeeming formula, the crystallizing thought.” by Etty Hillesum.
9I think other web-site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and wonderful user genial style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
10Excellent blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Thank you!
11Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a little out of track! come on!
12Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared across the web. Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this put up upper! Come on over and visit my web site . Thank you =)
13Perfectly indited content material, regards for selective information.
14But a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great style and design. “Individuals may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.” by Benjamin Disraeli.
15Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
16I have been browsing online more than 3 hours as of late, but I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s beautiful worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content material as you did, the net can be a lot more helpful than ever before. “Nothing will come of nothing.” by William Shakespeare.
17Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.
18Wohh just what I was searching for, appreciate it for posting.
19Thanks for another wonderful post. Where else could anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
20You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I find this matter to be actually something which I feel I’d by no means understand. It seems too complex and extremely extensive for me. I am having a look forward on your subsequent post, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!
21With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement. Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d truly appreciate it.
22Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
23I truly value your piece of work, Great post.
24Yay google is my world beater aided me to find this great website ! .
25Fantastic website. Lots of helpful info here. I’m sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you on your effort!
26Hello there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
27Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal website.
28I like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
29Some truly nice and useful info on this web site, too I think the style has got great features.
30Hey very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find numerous useful info here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
31You are a very intelligent person!
32Hello very cool site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds alsoKI’m satisfied to search out numerous useful info here within the submit, we need work out more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
33Whats up! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you might have here on this post. I can be coming again to your blog for extra soon.
34I’m no longer sure where you are getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend a while learning more or working out more. Thank you for great info I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
35What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Good job.
36You have brought up a very wonderful details , appreciate it for the post.
37It’s hard to seek out educated folks on this topic, however you sound like you understand what you’re talking about! Thanks
38I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
39An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
40Regards for helping out, wonderful info .
41I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
42Great website. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you in your sweat!
43I don’t usually comment but I gotta state thanks for the post on this special one :D.
44Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
45Good, I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.
46I want gathering utile information , this post has got me even more info! .
47As a Newbie, I am permanently searching online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
48I am glad to be a visitant of this sodding weblog! , regards for this rare info ! .
49Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it.
50