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Bắp xào (stir-fried corn)
Bắp xào bơ: sweet corn kernels tossed with butter, spring-onion oil and a little sugar
Outside Saigon schools in the late afternoon, vendors toss corn kernels in a huge, sizzling pan and scoop them into paper cups for children on their way home. The kernels glisten with butter and green scallion oil and taste sweet, salty and faintly smoky. The street version often adds tiny dried shrimp; this one leaves them out so it is vegetarian, and a pinch of chilli flakes is there for grown-ups. Chef's tip: get the pan very hot and spread the corn out; crowding it steams the kernels instead of giving them toasty, caramelised spots.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 16 oz sweet corn kernelscut from 3 cobs, or frozen and thawed, patted dry
- 1 oz butter
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 3 spring onionsthinly sliced
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a large frying pan or wok over a high heat until it shimmers. Add 16 oz sweet corn kernels in a single layer and leave it untouched for 2 minutes, until some kernels start to brown and pop.
3 minStep 2: Toss and fry for another 3–4 minutes, until the corn is golden in patches and smells toasty.
4 minStep 3: Lower the heat to medium, add 1 oz butter and 3 spring onions and toss until the butter foams and the onions turn bright green and soft.
1 minStep 4: Sprinkle over 1 tsp sugar and ½ tsp salt and toss for 30 seconds more, until the kernels look glossy. Add ¼ tsp chilli flakes if you like, and serve hot in cups with spoons.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bắp xào (stir-fried corn) take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of spring onions?
- Chives, or a little finely sliced onion.
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