Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Crepes)

Method

1. 1
   • rice flour 200 g
   • cornstarch 2 tbsp
   • ground turmeric 1 tsp
   • salt 1 tsp
   • coconut milk 2 dl
   • water 4½ dl
   • spring onion 3

   Whisk a thin batter — Whisk the rice flour, cornstarch, turmeric and salt with the coconut milk and 350 ml of the water until the batter is as thin as single cream — much thinner than a pancake batter, which is what makes the crepe shatter. Stir in the spring onions and rest it for 30 minutes.

   ⏱30 min
2. 2
   • water 4½ dl
   • fish sauce 3 tbsp
   • lime juice 3 tbsp
   • white sugar 2 tbsp
   • garlic 2
   • fresh chilli 1

   Mix the nuoc cham — Make the dipping sauce: dissolve the sugar in the remaining 90 ml water, then stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, crushed garlic and sliced chilli. It should taste sharp, salty and sweet all at once.

3. 3
   • lettuce 1
   • fresh mint 3 tbsp
   • fresh cilantro 3 tbsp

   Set out the herb platter — Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuce leaves, mint and cilantro and pile them on a platter. Every mouthful gets wrapped in a leaf, so the greens are not a garnish here.

4. 4
   • pork belly 250 g
   • shrimp 250 g
   • vegetable oil 4 tbsp

   Sear the pork and shrimp — Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a 24 cm non-stick pan over high heat until it shimmers. Add a quarter of the pork belly and fry for 2 minutes until the fat turns translucent, then add a quarter of the shrimp and cook for 1 minute more, until just pink.

5. 5
   • bean sprouts 200 g

   Cook the crepe until lacy — Stir the batter and ladle about 120 ml into the pan, tilting it so the batter runs thin right up the sides. Scatter a quarter of the bean sprouts over one half, cover and cook for 3 minutes, then uncover and fry for 2-3 minutes more, until the edges lift away from the pan and turn lacy and brittle. Fold it in half and slide it out.

   ⏱5 min
6. 6
   • pork belly 250 g
   • shrimp 250 g
   • bean sprouts 200 g
   • vegetable oil 4 tbsp
   • lettuce 1
   • fresh mint 3 tbsp
   • fresh cilantro 3 tbsp

   Repeat and wrap to eat — Repeat with the remaining oil, pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and batter to make four crepes, serving each as it comes off the heat. Tear off pieces, wrap them in a lettuce leaf with mint and cilantro, and dip.