1. Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas: Fresh Spring rolls are light, colorful, and packed with fresh vegetables, making them a vibrant addition to your dinner table.
Ingredients:
- Rice paper wrappers
- Cooked shrimp or thinly sliced cooked pork (optional)
- Rice vermicelli noodles
- Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil)
- Lettuce leaves
- Julienne carrots and cucumbers
Dipping Sauce:
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp water
- Crushed peanuts for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
- Dip a rice paper wrapper in warm water to soften it. Place it on a flat surface.
- Layer lettuce, herbs, noodles, and your choice of protein in the center of the wrapper.
- Fold the sides inward and roll tightly. Repeat for all wrappers.
- Serve with hoisin-peanut dipping sauce.
2. Vietnamese Pho (Phở)
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas: A warm bowl of pho is comforting, flavorful, and ideal for a cozy winter evening.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef bones or chicken bones
- 1 lb thinly sliced beef (e.g., brisket) or shredded chicken
- 1 onion (halved)
- 1 piece of ginger (sliced)
- 2-star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- Fish sauce to taste
- Rice noodles
- Fresh herbs (cilantro, Thai basil)
- Bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sliced chili peppers for garnish
Instructions:
- Roast bones, onion, and ginger in the oven for 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Simmer the roasted ingredients with spices in a large pot of water for 4-6 hours to create a rich broth. Strain and season with fish sauce.
- Cook rice noodles separately and divide them into bowls.
- Add sliced beef or chicken to the bowls and pour the hot broth over to cook the meat.
- Garnish with herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili.
3. Vietnamese Chicken Salad (Gỏi Gà)
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas: Light, tangy, and refreshing, this salad is a great counterbalance to heavier dishes.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded chicken (boiled or roasted)
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
- Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro)
- Crushed peanuts for garnish
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 minced chili pepper
Instructions:
- Mix fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili in a bowl to make the dressing.
- Toss chicken, vegetables, and herbs in a large bowl. Add the dressing and mix well.
- Top with crushed peanuts before serving.
4. Crispy Vietnamese Pancakes (Bánh Xèo)
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas: These golden, crispy pancakes are both festive and fun to eat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup water
- Turmeric powder (for color)
- Sliced shrimp or pork
- Bean sprouts
- Fresh herbs (lettuce, mint, Thai basil)
Instructions:
- Mix rice flour, coconut milk, water, and turmeric to create a batter.
- Heat a skillet, add oil, and pour in a ladle of batter to form a thin crepe.
- Add shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts to one side of the crepe. Fold it in half and cook until crispy.
- Serve with fresh herbs and nuoc cham dipping sauce (fish sauce, lime, sugar, and chili).
5. Vietnamese Fruit Salad with Coconut Milk (Chè Trái Cây)
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas: A sweet and refreshing dessert featuring tropical fruits is a delightful way to end a festive meal.
Ingredients:
- Mixed tropical fruits (mango, papaya, dragon fruit, jackfruit)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp sugar
- Crushed ice or tapioca pearls (optional)
Instructions:
- Chop fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
- Mix coconut milk with sugar and drizzle over the fruits.
- Add crushed ice or tapioca pearls for extra texture and serve chilled.
6. Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas: A fusion dessert that combines the rich flavors of Vietnamese coffee with the creamy texture of tiramisu.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strong Vietnamese coffee (cooled)
- Ladyfinger biscuits
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream (whipped)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions:
- Dip ladyfinger biscuits in coffee and layer them in a dish.
- Mix mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, and sugar until smooth.
- Spread the mixture over the biscuits and repeat for multiple layers.
- Dust with cocoa powder and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Crafting Your Vietnamese Christmas Dinner
To create a truly memorable Christmas dinner, combine a variety of dishes that balance flavors and textures. Start with light and fresh appetizers like spring rolls and salads, move on to hearty dishes like pho, and end with a sweet tropical dessert like tiramisu. Pair your meal with Vietnamese beverages like iced coffee or jasmine tea for a real touch.
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with the vibrant and delicious world of Vietnamese cuisine. With these recipes, your Christmas dinner will not only be memorable, but also an enjoyable culinary journey!
Here are some delicious food and drinks to try when ordering from PHO restaurants in Toronto:
Spicy Hue Vermicelli Noodle in Soup (Bún Bò Huế)
Shrimp and Chicken Pad Thai (Padthai Tôm Gà)
Combination Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên Dương Châu)
