Vietnamese Tacos Recipes

VIETNAMESE-INSPIRED SHRIMP SPRING ROLL TACOS

Steps:

• For the Mexican peanut-chile sauce: Set a medium saucepan over medium heat, then pour in the oil. Drop in the peanuts and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the peanuts begin to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the sesame and cumin seeds and cook, keeping a close eye on it and stirring often, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add the chipotle powder and saute for 30 seconds, then turn off the heat and immediately pour everything into a blender. Add the warm water, rice vinegar and brown sugar. Pop the lid on, and use a kitchen towel to hold it down. Blend until the mixture is nearly smooth (see Cook's Note). Spoon into a bowl and set aside.
• For the nuoc cham: Stir together the warm water, fish sauce, lime juice, granulated sugar, rice vinegar and salt in a bowl. Add the carrots and cucumber and set aside.
• For the spring roll tacos: Set a medium saucepan of water over high heat and let it come to a boil. Add the ginger and some salt, then carefully add the shrimp. Stir, then allow to cook until opaque, about 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp to a plate using a slotted spoon.
• Allow the water to come back to a boil, then add the noodles and turn the heat off. Allow to sit until the noodles are tender but not mushy, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the noodles to a bowl using tongs or a spider and set aside. Bring the water back to a boil and cook the tortillas one at a time, cooking for 1 minute each.
• To make a taco, spread a tablespoon or so of the peanut-chile sauce on a tortilla. Place some noodles on top followed by the carrots and cucumber in nuoc cham. Top with 3 shrimp and the cilantro and mint leaves. Serve!

VIETNAMESE SPICED TURKEY TACOS

Steps:

• Combine the ground turkey, ground shrimp, chili, vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, minced scallion, garlic, sugar and nuoc nam in a glass or ceramic bowl. Set aside. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Add the turkey mixture and cook slowly until the mixture is cooked through, about to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large glass or ceramic bowl. Set aside to cool.
• Add the remaining lime juice, mint and coriander leaves to the turkey mixture. Mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
• Lay the lettuce leaves on a flat surface. Put a tablespoon of stuffing in the center. Fold it closed. Arrange each taco on a serving platter.