Seafood Bird Nest (Crispy Fried Egg Noodles with Shrimp & Calamari, Scallop and Vegetables | Mì Xào Giòn Hải Sản)

Seafood bird nest or Mi Xao Gion is a dish that you will most likely find in high-end Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. It’s a tender, flavorful seafood and vegetable stir fry, served on a bed of crispy fried egg noodles that resembles a bird’s nest.

But there’s no need to go to a fancy restaurant. You can prep and cook this at home, and have this on your table in under one hour.

Spicy Korean Squid and Fried Tofu Stir Fry with Gochujang

Here is a super tasty and spicy stir-fry sauce made up of a Korean chili paste condiment known as gochujang. Gochujang is a Korean fermented red chili paste, mixed with soybeans, glutinous rice powder and salt. It has a spicy and sweet flavor that goes great with stir-fries, soups, marinades and stews.

Easy Crispy Fried Calamari (Muc Chien Gion)

Who doesn’t love fried calamari? Fried calamari are rings of squid and tentacles deep-fried to a crispy golden perfection. Served alongside lemon wedges, marinara sauce or aioli, this is the perfect recipe to one up grandma at her dinner party.

Vietnamese Squid Salad (Goi Muc)

Vietnamese Squid or Calamari Salad (Goi Muc) is a light and refreshing appetizer to go along side any entrée. Like all Vietnamese salads, this squid salad is coated with a sweet, salty, sour and spicy fish sauce dressing and topped with crunchy fried garlic.

Vietnamese Sweet & Sour Soup with Squid (Canh Chua Muc)

Time and time again, I proclaimed Canh Chua is the best Vietnamese soup for a Vietnamese home cooked meal. I just love the smorgasbord of bold flavors: sweet, sour and spicy. Plus, you can use whatever protein and vegetables you like. The only requirements are the tomatoes (for the vibrant red color), and the green aromatic garnish of either Thai Basil, Culantro, or Rice Paddy Herbs. The rest is entirely up to you. For this version, I use squid for the protein and thin Enoki mushrooms for the vegetables. And of course, loads and loads of Thai chili for that wonderful kick of heat. Nothing makes me happier than a very spicy Canh Chua that makes me cry.

canhVicky PhamAugust 7, 2017Vietnamese Sweet & Sour Soup with Squid, Canh Chua Muc, canh chua mực, soup, canh, squidComment

Vietnamese Stuffed Calamari (Muc Nhoi Thit)

Vietnamese stuffed calamari or Muc Nhoi Thit is one of my favorite appetizers. It is calamari stuffed in a pork, noodle and mushroom mixture. The calamari is first steamed. Then it is quickly fried or grilled to get a nice sear and lovely color on the outside. I love eating these stuffed calamari wrapped in lettuce and Vietnamese herbs with a dipping sauce on the side. It is the perfect Vietnamese appetizer for a fancy occasion.