My pops usually makes a traditional Vietnamese cake for Chinese New Year, but he decided to make it out of the blue today. It’s called “banh chung,” and is made from layering sticky rice, mung bean, and seasoned pork. It’s a very lengthy process, taking just over twelve hours to assemble and cook. My dad decided to document the whole process this time, so I thought I’d share with all of you his hard work!
Here are all of the ingredients lined up, after the mung bean and rice have had plenty of time soaking in water.
First, use your wooden square mold (which my dad built) as a guide to start lining your banana leaves.
Layer the rice, then beans, then meat, then beans and rice again.
Fold the banana leaves back over to secure everything together.
and wrap with plenty of strings!
Like this!:
This is how they look prior to cooking:
Wrap them in saran wrap and layer them in a huge pot.
Fill the pot with water and cook for 6ish hours, making sure to keep the water level above the cakes!
Take them out and let them cool for an hour or so.
Cut and eat! Yum! (oh heyyyy Halloween candy on the counter)
Dump the water out and clean the pot.
Isn’t that amazing? I get so excited when my dad cooks these because it only happens once a year and they are DELICIOUS! Thought you guys would enjoy!
Hi Kim!
I always see those at the Bancluck market next to Pho 999! I always wondered what they were… Now I’ll have to give them a try! 🙂
🙂 Yum and fun, btw, your pool is really pretty X) You’re so rich!
I post a lot of your recipes by the way (and don’t worry, I say they’re from your site), come check them out and leave a comment! 😀 kranberriesjuicies.blogspot.com
and, the most recent post with one of your recipes: http://kranberriesjuicies.blogspot.com/2010/10/saturday-morning-10302010.html
wow i always think its cool when someone dedicates a lot of time to anything…12 hours for these cakes?!?! thats awesome.
they look so cute and yummy!
wow! I`d like to try this! looks so good
have a nice time
Paula
Your family is so sweet! I always get excited too for Lunar New Year when my parents make banh chung. I live far from them now so I have to buy it from the store.
Kim you look so much like your dad. You’re both adorable!
Laura