- Preparation
5 minutes
- Cooking
10 minutes
- Difficulty
Easy
Bun dau mam tom is a beloved dish, and the shrimp paste is especially crucial, almost entirely determining the quality of the dish. Join Dien May XANH to learn how to make the traditional, universally loved shrimp paste for bun dau mam tom!
Ingredients for Shrimp Paste for Bun Dau Mam Tom
Serves 1
Shrimp paste 2 tablespoons
(bottled, good quality)
Rock sugar 2 tablespoons
Cooking oil 2 tablespoons
Kumquat 2
Shallots 4
Chopped chili A little
Equipment
How to choose fresh ingredients
How to choose good shrimp paste
- Based on color: Good shrimp paste will have a characteristic rose-apple color. Avoid buying shrimp paste that is dark black or bright red as it may be artificially colored.
- Based on smell: If the shrimp paste has a mild aroma, it is good. On the other hand, if the shrimp paste has a strong, pungent, or rotten smell, it means that it was made from stale ingredients and was not processed and preserved properly.
- Based on taste: You should buy shrimp paste that has a sweet and savory taste, a natural aroma that lingers, and especially isn’t harsh or bitter.
What is rock sugar? Where to buy it?
- Rock sugar is a type of sugar formed from the evaporation of sugarcane juice. Because it is a natural sugar, the evaporation process is also carried out very meticulously.
- Rock sugar is characterized by its brown-yellow color and larger grains compared to regular sugar.
- Currently, rock sugar is widely available. You can easily find it at supermarkets or buy it online at e-commerce sites. The price of rock sugar ranges from 70,000 VND – 100,000 VND/kg (updated in January 2022).
How to make shrimp paste for bun dau mam tom
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Prepare ingredients
First, put 2 tablespoons of shrimp paste and 2 tablespoons of rock sugar in a bowl, then stir well until the sugar dissolves.
Peel and wash the shallots, then thinly slice them using a knife. To prevent the shallots from crumbling when frying, slice them lengthwise.
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Fry the shallots
Place a pan on the stove, then add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add the prepared shallots to the pan, stirring constantly and evenly over medium heat.
When the fried shallots are almost golden brown, remove them immediately to prevent burning. Transfer the fried shallots to a bowl to drain the oil and make them crispier!
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Make the shrimp paste
After removing the fried shallots, quickly pour the hot oil and all the fried shallots into the bowl of prepared shrimp paste, then stir well.
Next, add chili and squeeze the juice of 2 kumquats into the bowl, then continue stirring until the mixture is well combined.
Finally, you can adjust the seasoning to your liking.
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Final product
The shrimp paste has a characteristic aroma, a sweet, sour, and spicy taste.
You can use this shrimp paste with bun dau mam tom or boiled meat; it will definitely enhance the flavor of the dish.
With just a few simple steps, you can complete a delicious bowl of shrimp paste with a characteristic flavor. So what are you waiting for? Learn it now. Good luck with this simple shrimp paste recipe for bun dau mam tom!
1. Uyen To Le
