Hue Fig Salad with Shrimp and Pork – A Rustic Dish Steeped in the Affection of the Ancient Capital
If anyone has ever accidentally fallen in love with the quiet, tranquil charm of the ancient capital, they surely could never forget the rustic yet exquisitely delicate dishes here. Alongside the the aromatic platters of Grilled lemongrass skewers with Huế-style dipping sauce thơm nức hay juicy grilled veal ,there is a sophisticated and delicate appetizer imbued with the character of Hue people that you must try Platters of Hue-style Mixed figs Salad with shrimps and pork.
By the hands of the chefs at Nghệ Restaurantthis wild fruit from the home gardens of the ancient capital has transformed into a soul-stirring dish. Hue-style mixed fig salad with its signature subtle astringency, tossed with sweet, fresh shrimp and pork, and scooped with crispy black sesame rice paper will make the most perfect opening to your culinary feast.
The Fig Fruit – A Rare and Distinctive Specialty Gift of the Ancient Capital
The fig fruit belongs to the same family as the honey fig and sweet cluster fig, but it is found only in the Central region, perfectly suited to the soil and growing best in the ancient capital of Hue. Hue people love the fig fruit for its unique flavor: neither overly sweet nor sour and spicy, but rather mildly astringent, nutty and rich, with a very distinct crunchy texture."
To have a properly prepared and delicious plate of mixed fig salad, the. the chefs at Nghệ Restaurant must choose dry fig fruits with deep green skins and a naturally pale pink interior. The preparation process is also quite meticulous: the figs are boiled until just cooked, peeled, and sliced very thinly with a knife. Afterward, the figs are soaked in a dilute saltwater solution mixed with a little lemon juice to keep them a pristine white, prevent darkening, and at the same time reduce the harsh astringency, leaving only a subtle, rich, and nutty aftertaste.
The Harmonious Combination of Sweet, Fresh Shrimp and Pork with Rich, Savory Spices
The beauty of this salad lies in how it elevates a rustic fruit using the freshest ingredients. Pork belly with a harmonious balance of lean and fat is boiled and cut into thin shreds. Fresh, naturally sweet river prawns are shelled and split down the middle of the back.
verything is lightly stir-fried with a little fragrant, golden-brown sautéed shallot to absorb the flavors, and then thoroughly mixed with the squeezed-dry figs. The soul that binds these ingredients together is the sweet and sour fish sauce dressing prepared according to the golden ratio of the chefs at Nghệ RestaurantThe fish sauce must have a high protein content, blended with granulated sugar, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a dash of the characteristic pungent red chili powder of Hue. When mixing, the chef must be very gentle so that the figs absorb the spices without breaking apart, perfectly preserving their crunchy texture when chewed.
Savoring Hue-Style Mixed Fig Salad the Proper Way
A platter of mixed fig salad with shrimp and pork when served at Nghệ Restaurant is eye-catchingly garnished with the pinkish-white color of the figs, the vibrant red of the shrimp, a few sprigs of lush green coriander, a sprinkle of fragrant, crushed roasted peanuts, and golden crispy fried shallots on top. An indispensable accompaniment is the evenly grilled black sesame rice paper, fragrant with the aroma of charcoal wood.
Hue people Instead of using chopsticks or spoons to eat mixed fig salad, locals have a much more interesting and poetic way of enjoying it. You break a small piece of black sesame rice paper, use that exact piece of rice paper to scoop up a generous bite of mixed fig salad containing both shrimp and pork, and bring it straight to your mouth.
The crispy, fragrant crunch of black sesame rice paper blends immediately with the mild, nutty astringency of the figs, the sweet taste of fresh shrimp and pork, interspersed with the richness of peanuts and the tingling, spicy kick of Hue chili. Everything harmonizes to create a rustic, sophisticated culinary experience that is powerfully addictive.
If you want to look for a light, appetizing flavor to start a gathering, platters of fig fruit mixed salad with shrimp and pork is prepared by the chefs at Nghệ Restaurant promise to bring a refreshing flavour to your dinner.
