Let's discover Ho Chi Minh City-HCMC (Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh), aka Saigon (Sài Gòn), the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), from the finest hotels to the cheapest of guesthouses, the classiest restaurants to the most yummylicous of street foods - Ho Chi Minh Discovery Part 1

Saigon's Green Lung right in the centre of traffic madness

Let's take a look at this long overdue post which I have been procrastinated. I am posting mainly on selected pictures taken during our 5-day free-and-easy holiday with very brief description instead of a long-winded post.

Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon) is a city in southern Vietnam. It's also popular for its French colonial landmarks, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the 19th-century Central Post Office. Food stalls line the city’s streets, especially around bustling Bến Thành Market.

Fitness or Exercise machines can be found in the park

The locals exercising and dancing in the park

 

 Be spoiled for choice in Saigon Central Market which offers variety of Vietnamese food and international cuisine

Oh.... we love this Turkish ice cream and peach lemongrass drink.  So refreshing....

Traffic in the busy street of HCMC.  It's a nightmare crossing the road here.....

To be continued....

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Easy to make Chinese steamed plain bun or bread aka Chinese Mantou (馒头) which is soft, light, fluffy and chewy

Mantou (馒头) is a traditional Chinese plain steamed bun or bread and is a staple food in Northern China where wheat, rather than rice, is grown. Only few ingredients are used to make this sweet, light and, fluffy bun. This traditional Chinese Mantou (馒头) is delicious eaten on its own. It can be eaten with meat or vegetables stuffed inside the buns.

Mantou (馒头) is very popular in China and is usually eaten with soup or porridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is soft and the texture is very smooth.  Give this a try and you will love it!

Ingredients :

- 500g all-purpose flour (I used unbleached flour)
- 1 teaspoon instant dried yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust accordingly)
- 1 tbsp of softened butter
- 250ml water (adjust accordingly if required)
- a pinch of salt

                                                 Before                                                                         After
Method :
1) Put all the ingredients except butter as per your bread machine instruction.

2) Press dough function and let it knead.

3) When the dough is smooth, add in butter and continue the kneading process.

4) Let the dough rest for about 30 minutes or double in size.

5) Take out the dough, punch out the air and lightly hand knead it on a floured surface .

6) Divide the dough into two or three portions as you wished. Then. roll the dough into a rectangle and then roll into Swiss roll like. Cut as per the above pictures.

7) Place the cut buns on a greaseproof paper and let it rest for 15 minutes.

8) Steam over rapid boiling water over high heat for 13 minutes.

9) Serve warm.

Note :
You can refrigerate or freeze the steamed mantous in a container or plastic bag.  Just reheat it in a steamer whenever you want it.

Freshly Steamed Mantou (馒头)

Soft, light, fluffy and chewy ...

It's plain but delicious

Other Mantous you may like. Just click at the image for the recipe.

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If you love Chinese food, you will definitely give two thumbs up for this appetizing and satisfying easy-to-cook classic home comfort food

Bentong is famous for its tofu bok/beancurd puff (豆腐卜) and it's a must to bring home a packet or two if you are visiting Bentong market.  You can eat it on its own, cook with curry, braise with meat, etc.  

Try this comfort food if you haven't try it before.  This savory dish is very appetizing when served it with steamed white rice.

Braised Pork Belly with Bentong Tofu Pok /Beancurd Puff (豆腐卜) and Hard Boiled Eggs

Ingredients :-

- 1 strip pork belly (about 500gm to 1kg depending on how much you need)

   (blanch and cut into your preferred size)

-  7 to 10 pcs of tofu pok (cut into halves)

-  1 whole garlic (lightly crushed)

-  some black pepper corn (crushed)

-  1 cinnamon stick

-  3-4 cloves

- 1 star anise

-  5 hard-boiled eggs
-  4-5 cups water
Seasoning : (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons dark soy sauce

-  1 tsp sugar
- Salt to taste

Method :

1)  Put all the above ingredients and seasoning into a pot except the hard-boiled eggs and salt.

2)  Bring to boil and add the hard-boiled eggs.

3)  Braise at medium low heat for about an hour or until the pork belly is cooked and tender.

4)  Add salt to taste and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes or so.

5)  Serve hot with steamed rice.

Serve with steamed rice

Cheers and have a great day ahead 💗

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Sorry, the comment box is closed at this time. However, you may contact me by leaving message at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :)