Name: Wok-Tossed Asparagus in Garlic (Măng Tây Xào Tỏi)
Yield: Serves 4-6 as part of a Shared Meal
Cuisine: Vietnam
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 long red chilli, thinly sliced on the diagonal; ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; 2 red Asian shallots, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced; 2 teaspoons sugar; 14 stems asparagus, woody ends removed

Preparation info

Serves
4-6
as part of a Shared Meal

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Songs of Sapa

By Luke Nguyen

Published 2009

About

I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE ASPARAGUS GROWING EVERYWHERE IN DALAT. ASPARAGUS IS BECOMING POPULAR IN VIETNAMESE COOKING, WHICH, I AM TOLD, IS DUE TO ITS APHRODISIAC QUALITIES.

Ingredients

14 stems asparagus, woody ends removed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves

Method

Bring a saucepan or deep frying pan of water to the boil, add the asparagus and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain and refresh in iced water, then drain again and set aside.

Heat a wok over medium heat, then add the oil and stir-fry the garlic and shallots for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add the asparagus and toss gently for 2 minutes. Add the fish sauce, sugar,