How to make Chung Cake and bring it to the market to sell - Gardening | ...

Introduction to Chung Cake: Chung cake (Bánh Chưng) is a traditional Vietnamese dish, typically made during the Lunar New Year (Tết). This square-shaped sticky rice cake is filled with pork, mung beans, and wrapped in banana leaves, symbolizing the Earth. While it's a beloved dish for family gatherings, it can also be a great product to sell at local markets, particularly during holiday seasons. In this guide, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of making Chung cake and how to bring it to the market for sale.


Part 1: Ingredients and Preparations

1. Ingredients for Making Chung Cake

To make traditional Chung cakes, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Glutinous rice (sticky rice): 2 kg (for approximately 5-6 cakes)
  • Mung beans: 500g (peeled and split)
  • Pork belly: 500g (choose pork with a good balance of meat and fat)
  • Salt: 2-3 tablespoons
  • Black pepper: 1 tablespoon (to season the pork)
  • Banana leaves: Enough to wrap each cake
  • Bamboo strings or kitchen twine: To tie the cakes
  • Optional additions: Add flavors like shallots or a little fish sauce if preferred.

2. Preparing the Ingredients

  • Glutinous rice: Wash thoroughly and soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain and mix with a bit of salt before use.
  • Mung beans: Wash and soak for 3-4 hours. Steam or cook them until soft, then mash or form into small patties.
  • Pork belly: Slice into medium-sized pieces and season with salt, black pepper, and optionally a bit of shallots or fish sauce.
  • Banana leaves: Wash and pat dry. If the leaves are stiff, blanch them quickly in boiling water to make them more flexible.

Part 2: The Assembly Process

1. Layering the Ingredients

  • Step 1: Lay down banana leaves on a flat surface. Arrange them in a cross pattern with the glossy side of the leaves facing down.
  • Step 2: Add a layer of glutinous rice in the center.
  • Step 3: Place a mung bean patty on top of the rice.
  • Step 4: Add a piece of pork belly.
  • Step 5: Cover the pork with another layer of mung beans, followed by another layer of glutinous rice.

2. Wrapping the Chung Cake

  • Fold the banana leaves over the filling to form a square shape. Make sure the cake is tightly wrapped so that no water seeps inside during boiling.
  • Tie the cake securely with bamboo strings or kitchen twine.

Part 3: Cooking the Cakes

  • Boiling: Place the wrapped cakes in a large pot filled with water, making sure the water completely covers the cakes. Boil for 6-8 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the water level stays above the cakes. If the water level drops, add more boiling water to the pot.
  • After boiling, remove the cakes and press them under a heavy object to firm up the texture. This step helps to create a compact and cohesive cake.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Harvesting Ant Eggs, Making Chung Cakes and Fried Spring Rolls with Ant Eggs

Discover the riches of rediscovering lost gold! But the truth is disappointing

How to Build a Bamboo House Kitchen in 10 Days: A Step-by-Step Guide