How to Make Boiled Vegetables with Flavorful Dipping Sauce at Home

How to prepare boiled vegetables served with kho quet dipping sauce

• 1

  Prepare the vegetables

  Cut off the stem of the broccoli with a knife, then cut each floret until all the broccoli is separated. After that, soak it in salt water for about 10 minutes, then rinse and drain.

  Peel the carrots, cut them into pieces about 2 finger lengths, then rinse and drain.

  Remove the seeds from the bitter melon, cut it into bite-sized pieces, then rinse with water and drain.

  Peel the garlic and shallots, then mince them (set aside a little sliced shallots).

  Wash the green onions, drain, and chop them finely. Wash the chili, then slice it thinly.

  How to reduce the bitterness of bitter melon

  • Method 1: Slice the bitter melon thinly, remove the seeds, and rinse thoroughly with cold water 3 – 4 times to help reduce the bitterness and improve the taste of the bitter melon.
  • Method 2: After chopping the bitter melon, marinate it with a little salt for about 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water and drain.
  • Method 3: Marinate the bitter melon in ice or wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes; the low temperature will significantly reduce the bitterness.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  Prepare pork and dried shrimp

  Wash the pork belly with water, drain, then dice it.

  Soak the dried shrimp in hot water for about 15 minutes, then take it out and drain.

  How to clean pork belly without smell

  • Blanch the pork in boiling water for about 3 minutes, then wash the meat with cold water before cooking, the meat will no longer have a foul smell and the dish will taste better.
  • Alternatively, you can use diluted salt water or rub ginger on the meat to help eliminate the odor.

  

  
• 3

  Make the sauce

  In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of water, 1 teaspoon of chili sauce, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1 fresh chili sliced, then stir well to combine the seasonings.

  
• 4

  Boil vegetables

  Place a pot on the stove, add filtered water and then add 1 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil.

  Next, add each type of vegetable to boil for about 5 minutes, then remove and place in a bowl of ice water to keep the vegetables crispy and delicious.

  
• 5

  Make dipping sauce

  Place a pan on the stove, add the prepared meat into the pan, turn the heat to low, fry until the meat is firm and some fat has rendered, then add a portion of garlic and onion to sauté until fragrant, then remove everything to a bowl.

  Put the pan back on the stove, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the pan. Wait for the oil to heat, then add the remaining minced garlic and onion to sauté until fragrant. Next, add the dried shrimp and the fried meat, mix well, then add the seasoning mixture and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes for the flavors to blend together.

  Finally, add sliced shallots, green onions, and pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed before turning off the heat.

  
• 6

  Finished product

  The dipping sauce has the sweetness of dried shrimp combined with a fragrant and moderately rich taste, the chewy yet tender pork belly that has rendered some fat, with a bit of spiciness from the chili and pepper, making it perfect for dipping boiled vegetables on a rainy day.