Beef Wrapped In Pepper Leaves Bo Nuong La Lot Recipes

VIETNAMESE BEEF GRILLED IN GRAPE LEAVES: BO LA LOT

Steps:

• Mix together the beef, shallot, garlic, lemongrass, sugar and fish sauce in a bowl.
• If using grape leaves, rinse, drain and pat them dry. Put about 2 teaspoons of filling in the center, slightly closer to the wider end. Fold the wide end over the filling, fold in the sides, and then roll up carefully, making sure the filling is completely and tightly enclosed. Repeat the process with the remaining leaves and beef mixture.
• Depending on length of skewers, slide 3 to 5 beef rolls crosswise onto each skewer. Grill over a barbecue (make sure flames have subsided and coals are red, with white ashes) or on a well-oiled grill pan over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with Nuoc Cham sauce for dipping.
• Whisk together the sugar, water, fish sauce, and lime or lemon juice in a bowl, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the garlic, chile, and shallot if using, and let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

BEEF WRAPPED IN PEPPER LEAVES (BO NUONG LA LOT)

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a pan over moderate heat. Add the garlic and onion and stir until softened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add the lemongrass, peanuts, turmeric, sugar, fish sauce, salt and ground beef. Mix with a fork until well blended and sticky, about 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside for 30 minutes. To makethe rolls, place 1 heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture in the center of a pepper leaf. Using your fingers, shape the meat into a cylinder about 2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Wrap the leaf around the meat but leave the sides open. (If necessary, use 2 leaves.) When done, place the roll seam side down. Make the remaining rolls in the same way. Thread 5 rolls onto each bamboo skewer, positioning the rolls so they touch one another at the seams. Set aside until ready to cook. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick frying pan over low heat. (Make sure the pan is large enough to accommodate the skewers. If not, shorten the skewers.) Add the beef rolls and cook until the meat is done, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Do not overcrowd the pan. Reduce the heat as necessary to keep the leaves from charring. Transfer the skewers to a platter. Remove the skewers and serve the rolls with Table Salad and Vietnamese Dipping Sauce.

BEEF AND LEMON GRASS WRAPPED IN BETEL LEAF: BO LA LOT

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the beef, lemon grass, spring onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Allow flavors to infuse for at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pick the individual betel leaves and wash in cold water. Lay the leaves flat on a cloth to dry.
• To form the rolls, lay a large betel leaf (or 2 smaller leaves), shiny side down, on a board with the stem of the leaf pointing towards you. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture onto the bottom edge of the leaf. Work it into a sausage shape, then roll the leaf from bottom to top and place the seam flat on your bench to stop the leaf from unrolling. Repeat this process until you have used all of the beef. The mixture should make about 20 rolls.
• Cook the parcels, seam down first, on a grill or barbecue hotplate over medium heat, turning to color all over, for about 5 minutes, or until done.
• Place the cooked parcels on a bed of vermicelli noodles, and then drizzle with a tablespoon of nuoc mam dipping fish sauce and garnish with fried red shallots, peanuts and chilli.
• Combine the fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir well and cook until just before boiling point is reached, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. To serve, add the garlic and chilli, then stir in the lime juice. Store tightly sealed in a jar in the fridge, for up to 5 days. Yield: about 1 cup

BO NUONG LA LOT (VIETNAMESE BEEF ROLLS IN LEAVES)

Steps:

• Combine ingredients and let sit in refrigerator for 2 hours.
• Roll in the grape leaves - Place the leaf on a flat surface with the underside facing up and the stem towards you. (You can tell if the leaf is on the right side by checking for raised veins.) Using a sharp knife, trim the stem (if still on the leaf) and discard. Some commercial grape leaves have the stems already trimmed. Place a spoonful of filling on the bottom center section of the leaf. Carefully fold the lower right section of the leaf over the filling towards the center. Fold the lower left section of the leaf up over the filling toward the center. Carefully fold the left section of the leaf in toward the center then the right section. Begin to roll the leaf up toward the center top point, keeping the filling pressed in a tight log. This is the trickiest part because you can tear the leaf if you press too hard. Once you pass this step you are home free. Keep rolling up toward the top until you have used up the remaining leaf. Use a toothpick straight through the grape leaf to hold leaf closed.
• Brush lightly with peanut oil and grill for 5-6 minutes over medium heat. Serve with dipping sauce.