Bo Naung Xa - Vietnamese Beef Skewers

Bo Naung Xa - Vietnamese Beef Skewers

These traditional lemon grass marinated beef skewers are common in any Vietnamese gathering. Even the road side vendors in Saigon sell these tasty morsels along with a special dipping sauce called Nuoc Cham. These beef skewers are either broiled or grilled and taste heavenly. You don't need much to go along these wonderful starters. Those who does not have beef, you can always make this dish with Lamb or Mutton. I have time and again served this with simple Chinese Cucumber Salad and people appreciated it very much. You can find the recipe of Chinese Cucumber salad in my blog The Little Treats @http://thelittletreats.blogspot.com and enjoy along with your friends and family.

Preparation time : 15 minutes
Marination Time :  4 hours
Cooking Time     :  10 minutes
Difficulty             :   Very Easy
Serves                 :   6 - 8

Ingredients :

2 teaspoons White Sugar

2 tablespoons Dark Soy Sauce

1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

2 cloves Garlic, minced

2 stalks Lemon Grass, (only the white part) minced

2 teaspoons Sesame Seeds

750 grams Sirloin Tip, thinly sliced, or Thinly sliced Lamb/Mutton

Salt to taste

Vegetable Oil for brushing

Skewers (pre soaked in water)

12 leaves Romaine Lettuce or Ice Berg Lettuce to serve

Fresh Cilantro/Coriander leaves for garnish

Fresh Basil for garnish

Fresh Mint for garnish

Thinly sliced Green Onion for garnish

Nuoc Cham sauce (Recipe given below)

 

Method :

  1) In a medium bowl, mix the sugar, soy sauce, pepper, garlic, lemon grass, salt and sesame seeds. Place the meat in the dish, and stir to coat. Cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours.

 

  2) Preheat grill for high heat.

 

  3) Discard marinade, and thread meat onto skewers accordion style.

 

  4) Brush grill grate with oil, and arrange skewers on the grill.

 

  5)  Cook 5 - 7 minutes per side.

 

  6) Serve hot from skewers, or remove from skewers and serve on a bed of lettuce leaves.

 

  7) Garnish with cilantro, mint, basil, and sliced green onions and don't forget to add a bowl of Nuoc Cham Sauce.

 

 

Nuoc Cham Sauce :

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

3 tablespoons White Sugar

2 tablespoons Lime Juice

2 tablespoons Fish Sauce

1 cup Water

Salt to taste

 

In a medium bowl combine the garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, lime juice, fish sauce and water. Mix all together, adjusting to taste. Serve with grilled lemon grass beef.