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Cơm nắm muối vừng
Cơm nắm muối vừng: pressed rice blocks dipped in toasted sesame and peanut salt
Before trains, buses and school trips, families in northern Vietnam press warm rice into firm, dense blocks and wrap them in banana leaf or paper with a twist of muối vừng, toasted sesame and peanut salt, for dipping. It is humble, filling and keeps its shape for a whole day's journey. Peanuts and sesame are both allergens. The common mistake is using cold or loose rice, which will not stick; it must be pressed hot. Chef's tip: mix a handful of sticky rice into ordinary jasmine rice before cooking, and the blocks hold together firmly without being gluey.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the rice
- 9 oz jasmine rice
- 1 ¾ oz glutinous (sticky) rice
- 1 ¾ cups water
For the muối vừng
- 3 tbsp black or white sesame seeds
- 1 ¾ oz raw peanutsskinned
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Rinse 9 oz jasmine rice and 1 ¾ oz glutinous (sticky) rice together until the water runs almost clear. Cook with 1 ¾ cups water in a rice cooker or covered pan (boil, then lowest heat for 15 minutes, then rest 10 minutes) until soft and slightly sticky.
20 minStep 2: Meanwhile toast 1 ¾ oz raw peanuts in a dry pan over a medium-low heat for 6–8 minutes, shaking, until golden. Cool and crush coarsely in a mortar.
Step 3: Toast 3 tbsp black or white sesame seeds in the same pan for 2–3 minutes, until they pop and smell nutty. Crush lightly with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar, then mix with the peanuts.
Step 4: While the rice is hot, pack it into a clean cloth or cling film and knead and press it hard into a firm log about 5 cm thick. Leave to cool for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Slice the log into 2 cm blocks with a wet knife. Pack with the muối vừng in a separate small pot and dip each block as you eat. Eat within the day and keep cool.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
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Good to know
- How long does cơm nắm muối vừng take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of jasmine rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of black or white sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
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