To Ben Tre for using Specialty “Coconut”

From the coconut Ben Tre people processed into various specialties such as: coconut milk boiled shrimp, coconut milk fried shrimp, coconut banana stew, coconut candy, recently, more interesting dishes have been commented by visitors: Real characteristic of the coconut country, which is “coconut” – a specialty won Silver Medal at the Southern Land fair held by Saigon Tourist, 1999.

“Coconut rice” means Rice is cooked with coconut milk in a coconut. This is the dish from Mrs. Ho Thu Bach, formerly Director of Ben Tre floating Restaurants, the current work at the Ham Luong hotel, came up with the idea from the Central Highlands Lam rice (rice cooked in bamboo tubes). Coconut for cooking must be selected from drinking coconut like: Siamese coconut, small coconut, pineapple coconut … coconut in medium age; young fruit or strong enough non-sweet milk quality, non-aromatic.

The Rice used to cook must be smelled good and soft, washed clean, in a basket to drain. Coconut used as a “cooker” with an opening at the tail to pour out some milk, then put the rice into the coconut, so the rice and coconut milk get balance, the rice is just cooked, dry, plastic. After putting the rice in to the coconut milk, cover it tight put it into, for a pot of little water for distillation. Coconut meal, you must use a small spoon and chew slowly you, will enjoy the sweet taste and scent of coconut milk absorbed into the grains of rice. Coconut rice should be eaten while it’s still hot with coconut fried shrimp. It would be better.

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When having the opportunity to reach Ben Tre coconut country, would you please visit Ben Tre floating Restaurant or Ham Luong hotel restaurant (Ben Tre City) to enjoy the delicious taste of coconut rice. And at other destinations like Phung Islet, Qui Islet, … you also enjoy this coconut rice dish.

Translated from Lu The Nha