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Bánh cáy is a traditional Vietnamese dish, renowned not only for its delicious taste but also for its diversity and creativity in preparation and decoration. Let's explore the origin and preparation of this specialty from Thái Bình right here on Mytour Blog.
What is Bánh cáy?
Bánh cáy is a type of cake made from glutinous rice, with a red hue from gấc fruit and a yellow color from dành dành fruit. The taste of the cake is sweet, fragrant with pandan flavor, and carries a distinctive aroma from glutinous rice. Additionally, the cake has a rich aroma of sesame, peanuts, coconut jam, and grapefruit essential oil.
The inception of this type of cake holds a remarkable tale. The mastermind behind it was Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tan – the governess of Prince Le Duy Vu during the Nguyen dynasty. In 1769, Prince Le Duy Vu fell victim to the schemes and envy of Prince Trinh Sam, leading to his imprisonment.
During his confinement, as there was only one caregiver permitted by the court, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tan was allowed to visit Prince Le Duy Vu. To aid his recovery from the hardships endured, Mrs. Tan ingeniously crafted a unique cake, rich in flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness. This cake proved instrumental in restoring the Prince's health.
Subsequently, Mrs. Tan shared the recipe for this cake with the villagers of Nguyen, thus earning it the name 'banh cay' and cementing its status as a vital part of Vietnam's culinary heritage to this day.
This delicacy boasts an extraordinary history of its own. (Source: Internet)Where to find the famous delicacy bánh cáy?
Bánh cáy is a renowned delicacy hailing from Nguyên Xá village, Đông Hưng district, Thái Bình province, Vietnam. It traces its origins back to the 17th century during the reign of King Lê – Lord Trịnh.
What are bánh cáy made of?
Bánh cáy is typically crafted from the following key ingredients:
- Sticky rice: The main ingredient forming the crust and filling.
- Gac fruit: Used to create natural red color for the crust of the cake.
- Bitter melon: Utilized for creating a yellow hue.
- Molasses: Molasses plays a role in giving the cake a naturally sweet flavor.
- Sesame seeds: Often used to enhance the deliciousness and provide a rich taste to the cake.
- Peanuts, coconut jam: Used as filling or for decorating the outer crust.
- Grapefruit essential oil: Creates a distinctive fragrance.
How to make delicious Thai Binh fish-shaped cake at home
Fish-shaped cakes are not only delicious dishes but also symbols of togetherness and reunion in Vietnamese celebrations and daily life. Below is the recipe for making this dish with authentic Thai Binh flavor, with a taste that will melt your heart the first time you try it.
Ingredients for making Thai Binh fish-shaped cake
- Prepare the pork lard by marinating it with salt and sugar for 15 days. Quantity: 300 grams.
Follow these steps to make Thai Binh fish cake.
Step 1: Prepare the pork lard.
Cut the pork lard into small cubes, then stir-fry with a little sugar until it turns golden and crispy. Turn off the heat.
Fry the pork fat until golden and crispy (Source: Internet)Step 2: Preparing sticky rice
Toast the sticky rice and sift to remove husk to ensure smooth texture for the cake.
Toast the sticky rice on the stove (Source: Internet)Step 3: Preparing peanuts and sesame seeds
Toast peanuts and sesame seeds until they turn light golden and fragrant. Remember to remove peanut shells before using.
Preparing peanuts and sesame seeds section (Source: Internet)Step 4: Caramelize carrots
Stir-fry carrot shreds with sugar, a hint of ginger, and fresh lime zest. Simmer on low heat until the carrots are tender, then turn off the stove.
Sauté carrots with sugar until they are tender (Source: Internet)Step 5: Cook sticky rice with bitter melon
Mix glutinous rice with bitter melon juice. Steam the mixture, then mash until smooth like flour.
Step 6: Roll out the mixture thinly, evenly mixing with lard.
Roll out the mashed sticky rice thinly, cut into bite-sized pieces, and then dry. Next, heat lard in a pan, wait until it melts, then add the sticky rice and stir until crispy and fragrant.
Step 7: Pour into molds.
Mix peanuts, sautéed carrots, sautéed mashed sticky rice with lard, chopped eggs, and sugarcane juice in a large pot. Heat the mixture in a hot pan until fragrant, then pour the mixture into a mold lined with sesame seeds and coconut rice on the bottom. Press firmly to shape the cake.
Step 8: Slice the cake and indulge
Wait for the cake to cool down, then slice it and enjoy.
Delicious finished product (Source: Internet)Find authentic Thai Binh fish cakes in Ho Chi Minh City
For those short on time for cooking, you can head directly to some of the stores below to enjoy authentic round fish cakes from Thai Binh. Check out these 3 addresses right away:
Specialty of Thanh Phuong
Thanh Phuong Specialty Store is the go-to place for authentic Thai Binh round cakes. The cakes here are directly imported from Nguyễn village, Thai Binh, delivering a unique flavor true to the cakes offered to kings during the Nguyễn dynasty. They are made from natural ingredients, ensuring safety for consumers.
Address:
- Located at 229 Bach Dang Street, Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.
Phone: 0835286779
Visit our website at dacsanthanhphuong.vn
Check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/dacsanhanoithanhphuong
Welcome to Red Orchid Store
Red Orchid Store is your go-to destination for authentic Thai-style cakes in Saigon. Our products are sourced from renowned manufacturers in Thai Binh, ensuring the preservation of traditional flavors. We constantly update our inventory, guaranteeing quality and freshness, so you can shop with confidence.
Address:
- Branch 1: 17A Cao Thang, Ward 2, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 2: 393 Le Van Sy, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Branch 3: 263B Le Quang Dinh, Ward 7, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: 19008122 – (024) 3205 6257
Official Website: honglam.vn
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/tinhhoaquaviet.vn
Indulge in the flavors of Thai Binh's Bánh Cáy
We pride ourselves on being a reliable destination that delivers top-notch and authentic products to our esteemed customers. We source our products from reputable bakeries, ensuring that the original flavors remain unchanged. Our signature delicacy boasts a perfect balance of sweetness, enriched with the aroma of roasted peanuts and sesame seeds, complemented by the creamy texture of glutinous rice and a hint of spice from ginger.
- Address: 127 Street 1, Binh Hung Residential Area, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Phone: 097 925 3631
- Fanpage: facebook.com/LanHuongBoutique.MallMini.Online
Above is a compilation of information and a recipe for making delicious and enticing steamed cakes, along with some reputable cake vendors. We hope you'll have the opportunity to indulge in the unique flavor of this special treat. Don't forget to visit the reputable e-commerce platform Mytour to acquire high-quality baking ingredients at great prices.
