Sandwich Shop Goodies 13 – Bánh xu xê (couple cookie)
When you reach(ed) mid 20s, don’t you just hear all sort of marriage announcements popping up among your social circle? By the time of college graduation, half the girls I know have gotten their wedding registry up on Facebook, and I thought okay it’s just an American thing (the wedding I mean, though the registry is American too). Then this past Christmas my best college friend missed our annual reunion for his big day in India, and another pal who I thought was still wandering the streets of Chengdu dropped the bomb that he’s engaged. Then I got news that two of my eleventh grade buddies in Vietnam are going to say the vows (not to each other) within this year. Then it really hits me.
I haven’t written about any wedding party food, even though I’ve been to many weddings :D. So why not celebrate this year’s Valentine’s day with a Vietnamese confection whose name derives from the main characters of any wedding: bánh xu xê, originally called bánh phu thê, or “husband (and) wife”?
My translation “couple cookie” is for the sake of consonant concordance. They are similar to neither American cookie, Scottish cookie nor British cookie. These little bouncy sweet green pillows get their names from being gift desserts at Vietnamese couples’ engagements back in the day, when they used banana leaves to make little boxes instead of a double layer of cellophane wrapper. At one point the adults called them bánh phu thê, then the kids mispronounced it to bánh xu xê (|soo-seh|) and the name stuck. Technique-wise, it takes a grandmother’s experience to make a mixture of sticky rice flour, arrowroot starch and water into a translucent jello casing that is resilient but not sticky. Some of us might find its crunch-chewy texture too rubbery, other would question its lack of flavor, but the skill of transforming ingredients alone is admirable, and I like chewing. 🙂 In fact I like the outer layer more than the filling.
Traditionally, taro cut into strips are mixed with the cooked batter to give onyx-like patterns, while the modern concoctions can have sesame seeds on top or dry coconut strips within to spice up the homogeneity. The fancy pâtissiers of old Northern Vietnam villages might also sprinkle a few drops of pomelo flower extract into the mung bean paste filling for enhancing fragrance. But I wouldn’t expect that from our local sandwich shops in the States, not when it’s less than $2 for a pack of four.
It’s the kind of sweet you either love or hate. My mom loves it. The Gastronomer suggests using it to pelt your loved ones. It’s the perfect representation of a marriage really, and I’m not talking about the symbolic meaning of glutinous rice (bonding) and all. Its shiny outlook is inviting – everybody likes to get married, then you take a bite and find it tough, lackluster, disappointing, at the least not quite as expected – the post-wedding depression, then you get to the core and discover some tender sweetness after all. 🙂
Got ’em from: Alpha Bakery & Deli (inside Hong Kong City Mall)
11209 Bellaire Blvd # C-02
Houston, TX 77072-2548
(281) 988-5222
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: chuối nếp nướng (grilled banana in sticky rice)
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh da lợn (pig skin pie)
Yay google is my world beater aided me to find this great website ! .
1You are my intake, I own few web logs and sometimes run out from brand :). “To die for a religion is easier than to live it absolutely.” by Jorge Luis Borges.
2very good submit, i actually love this website, keep on it
3Thank you for posting such great article. I truly enjoy your web page. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment on your website. I hope more informative publications from you in the future.
4I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
5주소콘은 자주 찾는 사이트의 최신주소와 변경된 주소를 카테고리별로 정리한 주소모음·링크모음 플랫폼입니다. 실시간으로 업데이트되는 바로가기 링크로 원하는 사이트에 빠르게 접속하세요.
6Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff prior to and you are just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have got right here, really like what you’re stating and the best way by which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to stay it sensible. I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is really a terrific site.
7Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is awesome, great written and come with approximately all important infos. I’d like to see extra posts like this.
8Thank you for publishing this valuable post. I truly enjoy your blog. Thank you for providing a space for me to comment on your web page. I look forward to more useful content from you in the future.
9Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
10F*ckin’ amazing things here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
11Hello! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share. Appreciate it!
12I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
13Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.
14There are actually a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to convey up. I provide the thoughts above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up the place an important factor might be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around things like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both boys and girls really feel the impression of only a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
15I was looking through some of your articles on this website and I conceive this web site is real instructive! Keep posting.
16It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
17I conceive this site holds some really excellent information for everyone :D.
18Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided shiny clear concept
19I’ve read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a great informative web site.
20It is perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I may just I want to recommend you few interesting issues or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article. I wish to read even more issues approximately it!
21Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
22Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
23I’ve recently started a blog, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
24Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
25Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast offered vibrant clear concept
26I’d always want to be update on new content on this site, saved to bookmarks! .
27I’ve learn several just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you put to make one of these great informative website.
28Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
29Thank you for another informative blog. The place else could I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now working on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
30I’ve read several good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make this kind of fantastic informative web site.
31What i do not understood is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
32You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart. “In order to preserve your self-respect, it is sometimes necessary to lie and cheat.” by Robert Byrne.
33An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
34There are some interesting cut-off dates in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may be some validity however I’ll take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as effectively
35Hey There. I discovered your blog using msn. That is an extremely neatly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
36What i don’t understood is if truth be told how you are no longer really a lot more neatly-appreciated than you might be now. You are so intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably when it comes to this topic, produced me individually consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested except it’s something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. At all times handle it up!
37Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
38I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
39I really appreciate you for posting this valuable content. I love your website. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment on your website. I look forward to more engaging articles from you soon.
40Very interesting topic, thankyou for putting up.
41Great write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
42It’s laborious to find educated people on this matter, but you sound like you understand what you’re talking about! Thanks
43This website online can be a walk-via for all of the data you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also you’ll definitely discover it.
44Hello. magnificent job. I did not imagine this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
45This design is incredible! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
46There are certainly loads of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a great level to deliver up. I provide the thoughts above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you deliver up the place the most important factor might be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round issues like that, however I’m sure that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each girls and boys feel the influence of only a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
47It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
48What i don’t understood is in fact how you’re now not really much more well-favored than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably in relation to this matter, made me for my part believe it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be involved unless it is something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times handle it up!
49We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with helpful info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire neighborhood shall be thankful to you.
50