Bun Rieu (Vietnamese Crab/Tomato Soup)

Ingredients

(portions are made to fill a 2L pot. servings: 4-5 people per pot!)

took me about 1.5 hours to make!

For the broth:

3 medium-sized pork bones

1 tbsp fish sauce

2 1/2 tbs crab boullion

1 tsp salt

2 tsp sugar

2 tbsp mushroom powder

1 1/2 tomatoes (chopped)

1 tbsp bean paste

1 clove of shallots chopped and 1 inch of ginger

fried tofu cakes (see photo)

For the crab/meatballs:

• 1/2 lb ground pork

• 1 can of crab meat

• 1/2 tsp mushroom powder

• 1 clove of shallots chopped

• 1 tsp fish sauce

• black pepper

• 1/2 green onion stalk chopped

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Directions:

1. Start with the pork bones. Rinse before putting them into a pot to boil. Set another pot to the side, fill with water to the top and turn heat to high. We're getting this stock pot hot and ready for the broth. You'll have 2 pots boiling at this time.

2. Once the pork bones look cooked, scoop them into a separate bowl and rinse out with water before placing them into your empty pot of water-- this is to ensure you have a clear broth by rinsing out the gunk.

3. Add these ingredients to your stockpot: 1 tbsp fish sauce, 2 1/2 tbs crab boullion, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp mushroom powder.

4. In a separate saucepan, add 1 tbsp of oil. Start by sauteeing 1 clove of chopped shallots with the piece of ginger. I also added 1 clove of minced garlic. Once it starts to sizzle, add the 1 tbsp of bean paste. Then pour in your chopped tomatoes. Stir and saute for 5-7 minutes.

5. Pour the contents of the tomato mix into your stockpot. Turn heat to high and cover. Now go make your meatballs (see directions below) and allow the pot to boil for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add the fried tofu towards the end, maybe about 20 minutes before turning off your pot.

6. I let my stockpot boil for a little over an hour, don't forget to do a taste test!

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How to make the meatballs:

1. Rinse your ground pork under running water.

2. Mix all ingredients together, including the crab meat.

3. When your stockpot is boiling, use an ice cream scoop or a 1 tbsp measuring cup to drop a scoop in.

4. Since the water is super hot, the meatballs will stay intact :)

Prepare your bowl:

1. Don't forget to boil your vermicelli rice noodles.

2. Fill your bowl with noodles, broth, and top it off with chopped green onions and cilantro + beansprouts, and squeeze some lime before enjoying!

Fill your bowl with noodles, broth, and top it off with chopped green onions and cilantro + beansprouts, and squeeze some lime before enjoying!

#vietnamesfood #bunrieu #crabsoup #homecookedmeals #homemade #comfortfoods #asianfood #homemade #selfcare #love #family