Flavor Boulevard

We Asians like to talk food.
Subscribe

Sizzling crepe

November 20, 2008 By: Mai Truong Category: savory snacks, Vietnamese


It’s been a while, I know. One time I asked my advisor about his hobby, his reply was “I used to read a lot when I was an undergrad, but now I just don’t have time anymore, all hobbies are gone.” He went on warning that I should devote some time to my hobbies now while I still can, because graduate school and later business (such as postdoctoral positions, if I can get some) will devour all of my time (and probably my soul, but he didn’t say that). Well, guess what, I don’t even have time now. On the positive side, you don’t get to sleep much, so it’s unlikely that you would have insomnia.

But sometimes you would wish you had insomnia. Now that the tests have receded and won’t come back for some time, I can (and must) stay up late for homework. So I just had a refill of energy, which at the time seemed light and even not enough, but is now weighing down on me with such concentration, unfortunately in the stomach and not in my head. It would make a great weightwatcher meal. Guess, anyone? It’s a Vietnamese pancake, i.e. banh xeo.

Recall that we’ve had several posts of banh before, it is no surprise that this one is also made of flour (rice, in this case). Here’s a quick list of ingredients my mom uses:
– prepackaged flour to make banh xeo (sold at Asian markets),
– soy milk (to dissolve the flour),
– ground pork (to be browned)
– celery
– shrimp
– sugar, salt
A great and experienced cook herself, she follows no recipe and provides none. The measuring cup doesn’t exist in her kitchen. She seasons the flour-soy milk mix, so that one doesn’t need to eat her banh xeo with any form of sauce. You won’t find this sauce-free business in any banh xeo shack you ever drop by, simply because traditionally people wrap their banh xeo in a huge lettuce leaf, roll it up, dip into nuoc mam pha, and somehow manage to put the busy bunch into their mouth. (A regular banh xeo is about 20cm (7 inches) in diameter.) They do it utensil-free. If soy milk makes one shudder, reason of which is a mystery to me, then one can use cow milk (whatever percent), coconut milk, or water. Likewise celery can be replaced by bean sprout or some form of long crunchy veggie (or no veggie?). Do away with the shrimp and pork if you’re a vegetarian, and go tofu. Basically, do what you like. As long as you throw the stuff into a hot skillet, pour a ladle of batter, and hear a sizzling sound (a “xeo!“, hence the name), you’ve got a pancake. A liberal, easy going pancake.

Eaten fresh, it’s crunchy. (Yes, the layer of flour must be thin, the shrimp and whatnot do not have to be covered). If the batter was just flour and water, it’s crunchy. Otherwise, it’s soft and fulfilling. I’m not a fan of crumbs, so I’m happy with microwaved banh xeo.

0 Comments to “Sizzling crepe”


  1. My coder is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on various websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    1
  2. Keep up the wonderful work, I read few content on this internet site and I conceive that your site is really interesting and has sets of good information.

    2
  3. very good publish, i certainly love this website, keep on it

    3
  4. What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You realize thus considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always maintain it up!

    4
  5. It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    5
  6. Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thanks

    6
  7. I think you have mentioned some very interesting details , appreciate it for the post.

    7
  8. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    8
  9. Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.

    9
  10. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

    11
  11. I precisely wanted to say thanks once again. I am not sure the things that I could possibly have implemented without these techniques provided by you about that question. Entirely was an absolute daunting scenario in my position, nevertheless viewing a new professional technique you treated it made me to leap over delight. I’m just happy for this information and sincerely hope you really know what an amazing job you’re providing educating people thru a blog. I am sure you haven’t met all of us.

    12
  12. Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would test thisK IE nonetheless is the market leader and a huge element of other people will leave out your wonderful writing because of this problem.

    13
  13. Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

    14
  14. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂

    15
  15. An attention-grabbing discussion is price comment. I feel that you need to write extra on this subject, it may not be a taboo subject however usually people are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

    16
  16. You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation however I to find this topic to be really one thing which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very large for me. I am looking forward to your next publish, I’ll try to get the cling of it!

    17
  17. Usually I do not learn article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice post.

    18
  18. Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!

    19
  19. Your house is valueble for me. Thanks!…

    20
  20. I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again

    21
  21. I will right away take hold of your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me recognise in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

    22
  22. Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    23
  23. Along with the whole thing which appears to be developing inside this particular subject material, your points of view happen to be quite refreshing. However, I appologize, but I do not give credence to your whole plan, all be it exciting none the less. It appears to everyone that your opinions are actually not totally validated and in simple fact you are generally your self not even entirely convinced of your point. In any event I did take pleasure in looking at it.

    24
  24. I got what you intend, appreciate it for putting up.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google. “Those who corrupt the public mind are just as evil as those who steal from the public.” by Theodor Wiesengrund Adorno.

    25
  25. Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thanks

    26
  26. As I website possessor I believe the content material here is very fantastic, thankyou for your efforts.

    27
  27. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

    28
  28. There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made sure good factors in options also.

    29
  29. Superb post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Bless you!

    30
  30. Can 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.

    31
  31. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

    32
  32. I like this web site very much, Its a very nice position to read and get information. “Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.” by Epictetus.

    33
  33. I conceive this site has some very fantastic info for everyone :D. “The ground that a good man treads is hallowed.” by Johann von Goethe.

    34
  34. I have not checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

    35
  35. This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen

    36
  36. Hi! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Many thanks!

    37
  37. I was looking at some of your content on this site and I believe this internet site is real instructive! Retain putting up.

    38
  38. so much good information on here, :D.

    39
  39. You are my aspiration, I have few blogs and often run out from to brand : (.

    40
  40. Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this web site would like to go along updated.

    41
  41. Would love to incessantly get updated great blog! .

    42
  42. Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

    43
  43. I’d forever want to be update on new posts on this website , bookmarked! .

    44
  44. Simply a smiling visitant 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.

    45
  45. Great work! That is the type of information that are supposed to be shared around the net. Shame on Google for not positioning this publish upper! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)

    46
  46. Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a risky decision great post! .

    47
  47. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    48
  48. You made some first rate factors there. I appeared on the web for the issue and located most people will go along with together with your website.

    49
  49. Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    50


Leave a Reply