Bánh Tét

Bánh Tét is a traditional Vietnamese rice cake, often enjoyed for breakfast, featuring a healthy twist with steamed mung beans and lean pork. This dish is wrapped in banana leaves, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• Glutinous rice - 200 grams
• Mung beans - 100 grams
• Lean pork (pork tenderloin) - 150 grams
• Banana leaves - 4 large pieces (for wrapping)
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Shallots - 2, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Water - 500 milliliters

Steps

1. Soak the glutinous rice and mung beans in water overnight.
2. Drain the soaked mung beans and steam them for about 20 minutes until soft, then mash and season with a pinch of salt.
3. Cut the lean pork into small pieces and marinate with salt, black pepper, chopped shallots, and minced garlic for about 30 minutes.
4. Prepare the banana leaves by washing them and cutting them into rectangular pieces, about 30 cm x 25 cm.
5. Layer one piece of banana leaf on a clean surface, then spread a layer of glutinous rice (about half of it) in the center, forming a rectangle.
6. Add a layer of mashed mung beans on top of the rice, followed by a layer of marinated pork.
7. Top with the remaining mashed mung beans and cover with the remaining glutinous rice, ensuring the filling is completely encased.
8. Fold the banana leaves over the filling to create a rectangular package and tie securely with kitchen twine.
9. Repeat the process for the second serving.
10. In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil. Place the wrapped Bánh Tét in the pot, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours, ensuring they are submerged in water.
11. Once cooked, remove from the pot and let them cool slightly before unwrapping.
12. Slice the Bánh Tét into rounds and serve warm.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 56 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Cholesterol: 50 mg
• Total Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein from lean pork, supporting muscle health.
• High in fiber from mung beans and glutinous rice, promoting digestive health.

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