VIETNAMESE SAUTEED CORN DRIED SHRMIMPS (BAP XAO TOM KHO RECIPE)
Vietnamese Sauteed Corn with Dried Shrimps (Bap Xao recipe) is a delicious street food in Saigon. Every bite is brimming with corn's sweet flavor mild saltiness from dried shrimps and the richness of butter.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup dried shrimp
- 2 ears sweet corn
- olive oil
- Three to four stalks of scallions
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the dried shrimps in the bowl, and add water to fill the shrimps. Soak them until they are soft to the feeling (about 20 minutes or so depending on the dried shrimp you've got).While the shrimps are in the water remove the corn kernels from cobs, and then discard the cobs. Cut scallion in thin slices with the white portion separate from the green portion.
- After the dried shrimp have been softened and reconstitued the shrimps, you can pound them lightly or chop them to smaller chunks.
- Set a pan on medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Once the oil is hot then add the shrimps that have been dried and sauté briefly. When the shrimps are cooked to their desired temperature the oil, add a teaspoon fish sauce (or according to your preference) and mix until well-combined and then transfer the dish to an unclean plate.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. After butter has been melted then add the white part of the scallion. Cook for a couple of seconds until it becomes fragrant. Add corn kernels, and 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste) and cook for a few minutes or until the corn kernels are cooked.
- Return dried shrimps to the pan. Add the green portion of scallions. Stir fry the ingredients briefly until the flavors have merged. Check the seasoning and adjust it according to your preference. Transfer to serving dishes to serve warm.
Notes
While soaking dried shrimps make use of tap water at room temperature when you have the time. If you're trying to hurry, use warm water to cut down the time for soaking. Avoid boiling or hot water since hot water can remove too much flavor that of shrimp. If you can't locate dried shrimp I would suggest you make use of fresh shrimps.
Chop them in smaller pieces and roast them in a skillet to lower the water content and intensify the flavor. Add fish sauce to taste. You can then utilize the pieces of shrimp that you have toasted as a substitute for dried shrimps in this dish. You can also enjoy Bap Xao for a snack or as to serve as an appetizer or side dish. A few people like to add crispy shallots that have been fried or sprinkle some sriracha onto the top prior to serving. Feel free to add any toppings you'd like.