đẹp Gỏi cuốn

Chào các cô, thầy va các bạn!

Chúng em là năm sinh viện mới; Bích Xuân, Bích hồng, Bích Lé, Bính Kien and Tee wei

Vào sáng thứ bảy trước, chúng em làm nấu ăn ở nhà thầy Minh.

Chúng em đi ra NTUC mua all the ingredients except for the mint leaves which Tee Wei got it from his neighbour.

When I reach nhà thầy Minh, cô Bích đang dạy how to make decorations from carrots, cucumbers, green pepper and tomatoes. Cô rất sáng tạo và vui tính.

Making baskets from cucumbers

All of us watched attentively

The decorations vary from sailing ships to baskets and flowers. It is not as easy as it looks.(o_O)

After the food decoration class, chúng em continued with our project; gỏi cuốn

The ingredients:

• One packet of Rice vermicelli (Mihun)

• Vietnamese Rice paper(Big size)

• About 20 shrimps

• Bean Sprouts

• Lettuce, Carrots, Cucumber

• Pork Belly (or chicken)

• Mint leaves

• Thai basil leaves (* be careful not to mix up with the Italian basil leaves)

• Chinese chives

Decorations:

• Tomatoes

• Cucumbers

• Carrots

• Red Chillies

Steps into making gỏi cuốn:

1. Soak the rice vermicelli for about 20 minutes before putting in it boiling water for about 5 minutes. Avoid boiling it for too long until it becomes too soft.

2. Cook the shrimps in boiling water together with the shell until the shrimp turns reddish. Peel the shrimps and cut them into halves sideways.

3. The lettuce, cucumber and carrots are all thinly sliced. (*Note that all the vegetables are eaten raw.)

4. Cook the pork belly and cut into thin slices.

Wrapping:

1. Dip a sheet of rice paper into water for about 8 seconds (* Do not dip it too long or it’ll become to soft for wrapping)

2. Put the vegetables, meat and the prawns to the rough side of the rice paper and wrap it tight. Make sure it is compact and not loose. (*Put more herbs)

3. Serve with fish sauce or hoisin sauce as a dip.

Our final product! Rất đẹp phải không?

After chúng em finish making hai mươi gỏi cuốn, we waited anxiously for các cô

Finally, it is time for the tasting session.

Cô bich tasted each and every one of the dishes including those from Việt 2 and gave her feedback. It seems like most of the gỏi cuốn this year has more prawns than herbs. :P (*Hint : Put more mint and basil leaves)

Once cô bích finish tasting, it is turn for us to grab the bowls and fill our grumbling stomachs. Yuummm…

Group reflection:

This cooking project is a rare kind of experience for all of us. We were having a lot fun! Through shopping for the ingredients and cooking together, we know more about our project mates. During the preparation process at thầy minh’s house, we get to learn skills outside the classroom. Besides, we also interacts with other students from different classes. Everyone was trying to make the best of their respective foods. The decoration of the food does play an important role in attracting more people to eat it. So,we can see a variety of decorations from the different groups especially after the demonstration from cô bích. Then the tasting process helps us to compare the foods prepared and know where and how to make it better next time. The foods prepared by the teachers were sumptuous! We couldn’t help but eating more. We were glad that we were part of this enjoyable session and thankful to all the teachers taught us and friends who went and make it so lively.

Cám ơn cac cô for having this cooking project and give us a chance to try those nice Vietnamese foods. Chúng em rất thích lớp nău an!  It was an unforgettable experience.

Thế thì tot quá!