Bun Rieu

I can eat Bun Rieu every week but my husband is not such a HUGE FAN ...so every chance I get to make it...I would make a HUGE POT and freeze some of the broth so I can have it for the next few days ;) 

INGREDIENTS: 

1 bag of rice vermicelli ( about 10 oz) 

1 gallon water 

1 lb pork tips 

1/4 cup dried shrimp (soak in water so that it can get soft) 

4 roman tomato or 2 regular tomato (sliced) 

1/2 cup sliced green onion (green part) 

4 oz ground pork 

1 small can crab paste (Asian Market--they sale in can or jar...and shrimp or carb flavor) 

1 TBS fish sauce

1 TBS sugar

1 tsp fine shrimp sauce (man tom--shrimp paste--Asian Market) 

4 eggs beaten 

***cooked TOFU (optional) 

Garnish: 

chopped cilantro

basil

green onion

lime

chili sauce

**shrimp paste (man tom) 

DIRECTIONS: 

Cook vermicelli noodle according to package. Then drain and set aside. 

In a large stock pot pour in the gallon water and add in the pork tips (making the pork stock).  If you don't want to make your own stock...you can use ready made stock (chicken or pork--optional) 

Cook stock for about 1 hrs ...remember to skim off all the froth and fat off the top. 

In a mixing bowl combine the ground pork, crab paste, fish sauce, shrimp sauce (man tom), dried shrimp and sugar. COMBINE then add the 4 beaten eggs and MIX in blender.  Pause about 4 times...DON'T over PUREE!!! 

Next pour the ground pork mixture into the boiling pork stock pot. I usually SPOON in the ground meat mixture so that it makes these balls/patty.  Season with more fish sauce and sugar to taste!!!  Right before you turn off the stove...add in your sliced TOMATO and cook tofu.