Vietnam is known for many of its outstanding meals, especially street food. Bo La Lot is no exception. Bo La Lot is often referred to as ‘Vietnamese Meatballs’. This wonderful dish comes with a unique aroma and flavour, thanks to the ingredients that are used. Not only does it taste incredible, but making Bo La Lot is also an enjoyable experience. It is a perfect balance between flavours, textures, and aromas.
What is Bo La Lot?
Bo La Lot or Vietnamese Meatballs is one of the many popular street foods of Vietnam. It’s a type of beef patty or ‘meatball’ with a unique combination of flavours. It is made of ground beef which is mixed with crushed peanuts, minced shallots, garlic, and lemongrass, then combined with a mixture of spices that can vary from recipe to recipe. The flavourful patties are then wrapped in a fragrant betel leaf, steamed, and enjoyed with a dipping sauce.
Why We Love Bo La Lot
Apart from being incredibly delicious and easy to make, Bo La Lot has many health benefits. Ground beef is a rich source of protein and essential fatty acids, while the combination of herbs, nuts, and aromatics makes the meat even more nutritious. Lemongrass and garlic are known to have anti-fungal,anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties, and shallots are full of antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cancer.
What You’ll Need to Make Bo La Lot
500 g ground beef, 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped lemongrass, 2 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced, 1 teaspoon of ground coriander, ½ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ cup of finely crushed peanuts, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of finely diced shallots, 14 Betel leaves.
Cooking Instructions
1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the Bo La Lot parcels and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown.
3. Serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
Bo La Lot is best served with a dish of sticky white rice, a fresh garden salad with crunchy vegetables, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, and chili.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of beef is used for Bo La Lot?
A: Ground beef is typically used for Bo La Lot.
Q: Do Betel leaves have nutritional benefits?
A: Yes, Betel leaves are rich in dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin A, among other nutrients.
Q: How long do Bo La Lot stay fresh?
A: Bo La Lot will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Q: Do you need to thaw the ground beef for this recipe?
A: No, it is not necessary to thaw the ground beef for this recipe.
Q: What kind of dipping sauce is typically served with Bo La Lot?
A: A common dipping sauce served with Bo La Lot is composed of fish sauce, lime juice, and chili.
Q: Can Bo La Lot be frozen?
A: Yes, Bo La Lot can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Bo La Lot Recipe
A delicious Vietnamese dish of beef and betel leaves aromatically flavoured with lemongrass and fish sauce.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
450g minced beef
4 betel leaves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced lemongrass
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 teaspoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 spring onions, finely sliced
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the beef, betel leaves, lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the spring onions and fry until lightly browned.
Add the beef mixture and stir until well-combined. Fry for about 5 minutes or until the beef is cooked through.
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
You can substitute beef with pork or chicken, if desired.
For an extra spicy kick, add some chilli powder to the beef mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Bo La Lot, Vietnamese Cuisine, Beef and Betel Leaves, , , ,
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