Fresh fruits are the most popular desserts in Viet nam, but "Chè" is the most traditional Vietnamese dessert. It's a sweet pudding usually made from beans, bananas, coconut milk, pearl tapioca, sweet yam or yucca root vermicelli and sugar. There are shops which sell nothing but "Chè". "Chè" is also a popular snack for the Vietnamese. In high-priced restaurants you can also find European cakes and ice cream.
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Chè chuối - Banana cooked in coconut - sugar syrup (southern dessert)
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Ingredients:
- 6 firm but ripe, peeled bananas
- 1 cup canned or fresh coconut milk
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup of small pearl tapioca (soak tapioca in water overnight)
- 1/2 cup of sweet potato or yucca root vermicelli (soak
in water overnight) - 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds
Preparations:
- Soak in water the sweet potato or yucca root vermicelli for 1 hour or overnight. Combine sugar, coconut milk and water in a medium sauce pan. Bring to boil then simmer for few minutes.
- Drain the vermicelli and tapioca and add to the sauce pan, stir constantly until tapioca pearl are clear and the vermicelli is cooked.
- Cut the bananas into 2-3 inch lengths, add banana pieces to the pan, simmer for 5 minutes. If the syrup is too thick add a little more water. Serve the dessert in individual bowls. Before serving, sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top. This dessert can be served hot or cold.
- Serves 8-10
