Take your tastebuds on a journey through Vietnam with these 9 Jerry Mai recipes

Chef Jerry Mai takes your tastebuds on a journey through Vietnam, sharing the iconic meals enjoyed all across the country.

Jerry Mai is one of the first chefs to bring authentic Vietnamese flavours to Melbourne’s kitchens. She continues to be a culinary leader whose paddock to plate ethos and no-fuss attitude is winning friends and fans across the country. Jerry’s cooking tells her family’s story through predominantly Vietnamese flavours.

Try one of her unique and flavourful Vietnamese recipes for your next dinner, from the bold and soul-healing chicken pho recipe to the deep-fried ice cream with salted caramel.

Here are nine of Jerry Mai’s tastiest Vietnamese recipes from delicious.com.au that highlight just how delicious some of the country’s dishes can be.

Lemongrass sate

“You can use this sate to marinate meats or seafood before grilling, to accompany soups or as a dipping sauce.” Eat it with Jerry’s chicken pho (pictured below).

Chicken pho

“For the uninitiated, this is a great entry-level pho. Pho ga (chicken pho) has a delicate and light-tasting broth that contrasts wonderfully with the bold-tasting flavours of accompaniments.”

Whether rain, hail or shine, nothing beats a nice warm pho.

Pickled carrot and daikon

This Vietnamese veggie pickle is the perfect way to cut through any greasy flavours. Best topped on Jerry’s prawn and pomelo salad, which is just below.

Prawn and pomelo salad

“The pomelo is an ancient citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia. It’s not dissimilar to grapefruit, and it makes a regular appearance in Vietnamese salads.”

Fresh, vibrant and most of all delicious.

Grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf (bò lá lốt)

“Bò lá lôt are perfectly wrapped beef parcels in betel leaves. When cooked over a charcoal grill, the smell of grilled betel leaf is incredibly fragrant. These really are a must-have at any barbecue.”

 

Salmon and apple rice paper rolls

These simple summer rolls are a light and healthy snack for all year round.

These bite-size salmon and apple rice paper rolls pack heaps of flavour.

Vietnamese dipping sauce (nuoc mam)

This classic Vietnamese dipping sauce is the perfect way to add umami to any savoury dish.

Five-spice calamari

“This fried calamari dish is one of the greatest meals you can eat while drinking beer and catching up with mates.”

The perfect finger food for your next party.

Deep-fried ice cream with salted caramel

“Vietnamese immigrants brought fried ice cream to Australia. Years ago, when my brother was at school, he mentioned this delicious dessert in one of his assignments and the teacher laughed at him. ‘You can’t fry ice cream,’ she proclaimed. Well, look who’s laughing now!”

For more food, lifestyle or travel news, go to delicious.com.au

Originally published as Take your tastebuds on a journey through Vietnam with these 9 Jerry Mai recipes