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Rau sống
Rau sống: the Vietnamese plate of fresh lettuce, herbs, cucumber and bean sprouts at every meal
Rau sống, literally 'raw vegetables', is the heaped plate of lettuce, herbs and cucumber that sits in the middle of the table at almost every Vietnamese meal, from Hanoi bún chả to a Saigon family dinner. Everyone tears leaves to wrap grilled food, drops herbs into soup or eats them alongside rice. Nothing is added: no salt, no dressing. About 0.1 g salt per portion, naturally present in the greens. Seasoning comes from whatever dipping sauce is on the table, so a light hand there keeps the whole meal low in salt. The usual mistake is leaving the herbs wet; water dilutes the flavour and makes them wilt fast. Use whatever mix you can find: Thai basil, perilla (tía tô), Vietnamese balm (kinh giới), mint and coriander are classics. Chef's tip: soak the herbs in very cold water for 10 minutes, then spin dry; they become crisp and glossy and last through the whole meal.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 head soft lettuce (butterhead or leaf)leaves separated
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1 bunch Thai basil
- 1 bunch perilla (tía tô) or shiso (optional)
- 1 bunch fresh coriander
- 1 cucumbercut into batons
- 5 ½ oz bean sproutstails trimmed
- 1 lime (optional)cut into wedges
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Fill a large bowl with very cold water. Add 1 head soft lettuce (butterhead or leaf), 1 bunch fresh mint, 1 bunch Thai basil, 1 bunch perilla (tía tô) or shiso and 1 bunch fresh coriander and soak for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Lift the greens out, spin or pat completely dry and pick the herbs into sprigs, discarding thick stems.
5 minStep 3: Rinse 5 ½ oz bean sprouts and drain well.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 30 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 5 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does rau sống take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- 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 soft lettuce (butterhead or leaf)?
- Any crisp salad leaves, same amount.
- What can I use instead of fresh mint?
- Fresh coriander, same amount (different but just as fresh).
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