**Canh Chua: A Flavorful and Refreshing Vietnamese Soup**
Canh chua, meaning "sour soup" in Vietnamese, is a delicious and flavorful soup that is enjoyed throughout Vietnam. It is characterized by its sour and tangy broth, which is made with tamarind, tomatoes, and pineapple. Canh chua is typically served with rice or noodles, and it is often garnished with fresh herbs such as cilantro, basil, and mint. This versatile soup can be made with a variety of different ingredients, including pork, shrimp, fish, tofu, and vegetables. In this article, we will provide recipes for three popular versions of canh chua: canh chua cá (fish sour soup), canh chua tôm (shrimp sour soup), and canh chua chay (vegetarian sour soup). Whether you are a fan of seafood, meat, or vegetables, you are sure to find a canh chua recipe that you will enjoy. So gather your ingredients and let's get cooking!
VIETNAMESE SWEET & SOUR SOUP (CANH CHUA)
A sweet and sour soup made with pork, catfish, and a variety of traditional Vietnamese vegetables.
Provided by Becca Du
Categories Dinner Entree Main Course
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Add pork to a large soup pot. Cover with water until it just covers the pork. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Take out the pork and then throw away the water. This process cleans the pork. Rinse the pot and add the pork back. Cover the pork with fresh water until it just covers the meat. Bring to a boil.
- Add the onion and simmer for 1.5 hours. Make sure to check every 30 minutes for impurities. Scoop away any you see.
- While the soup is simmering, combine 1 cup of water and tamarind in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let it simmer until the tamarind dissolves.You can help speed up the process by using the back of a spoon to crush the tamarind. Pour the tamarind through a fine mesh sieve into a small bowl. Set aside.
- After simmering the soup for 1.5 hours, add the pineapple and ginger to the soup. Simmer for another 20 minutes.
- Put the catfish in and simmer for another 10 minutes until it is cooked through.
- Lastly, add the vegetables and tamarind from step 3. Bring the soup to a boil and serve with a side of white rice. Make sure to taste the soup for seasoning and add more salt if it tastes bland.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 706 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 61 g, Fat 41 g, SaturatedFat 15 g, Cholesterol 221 mg, Sodium 821 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 16 g, ServingSize 1 serving
VIETNAMESE SOUR SOUP (CANH CHUA)
Canh Chua is an iconic Vietnamese Sour Soup, loved for its broth that's sweetened by pineapple and garnished with fresh herbs!
Provided by Jeannette
Categories Dinner Lunch Main Course Side Dish Soup
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat up a pot of water and bring it to a boil.
- Meanwhile, add 3 tbsp oil to a saucepan and brown the garlic on low heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Set aside for later.
- With the water boiling, season it with the tamarind powder, chicken bouillon powder, sugar and fish sauce. Bring the heat to a simmer as you prepare the fresh ingredients.
- Chop the pineapple into 4cm (1.6") long chunks.
- Cut the elephant ear plants into 4cm (1.6") long segments by slicing diagonally.
- Cut the okra in half using a diagonal slice.
- Cut the tomatoes into thick wedges.
- Finely chop the rice paddy herb and sawtooth coriander.
- Heat up a wok on high heat and add 4 tbsp oil in. Lower the heat to medium and brown the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Turn the heat back to high and add the fish steaks in to sear on both sides for 3 minutes each side.
- Bring the pot of seasoned water back to a boil and pour the fish and garlic in.
- Add the pineapple, elephant ear plant, okra, tomatoes and browned garlic to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve as is garnished with fried garlic, rice paddy herb and sawtooth coriander. Pour a small dish of fish sauce to use as a dip!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 566 kcal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Protein 103 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 250 mg, Sodium 2015 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 15 g, ServingSize 1 serving
Tips:
- Select ripe and fresh ingredients: Always choose vegetables and fruits that are at their peak ripeness for the best flavor and nutritional value.
- Use a variety of vegetables: Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of vegetables in your canh chua. Some popular choices include okra, bamboo shoots, pineapple, tomatoes, and long beans.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: Canh chua is a quick-cooking dish, so be careful not to overcook the vegetables. They should still retain their vibrant color and slight crunch.
- Balance the flavors: Canh chua should have a balanced flavor profile with a combination of sour, sweet, salty, and savory tastes. Adjust the amount of tamarind, sugar, and fish sauce to achieve the desired balance.
- Serve hot and fresh: Canh chua is best served hot and fresh. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint for an extra burst of flavor.
Conclusion:
Canh chua is a delicious, healthy, and refreshing soup that is perfect for a hot summer day or as a light meal. With its vibrant flavors and variety of vegetables, it's a dish that everyone can enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy soup recipe, give canh chua a try. You won't be disappointed!
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