Tucked away in the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam, there lies a dish that marries simplicity and sophistication: Com Tam Suon, or broken rice with pork chops. This culinary gem, a beacon of southern Vietnamese cuisine, finds its way into the hearts of many with its harmonious blend of textures and flavours. If you're intrigued by crafting authentic Vietnamese delicacies or simply want to broaden your culinary horizons, this guide will escort you on your journey to perfecting Com Tam Suon from scratch.
Exploring the Roots of Com Tam Suon
Originating from Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, Com Tam Suon holds cultural significance and is predominantly consumed for breakfast or lunch. The dish involves basic ingredients that blend to create a comforting yet tantalising meal. Com Tam, the Vietnamese term for broken rice, originated from a time when rice farmers gathered the fractured rice grains that couldn't be sold, making a meal out of what was considered less desirable. Over time, this dish not only became popular but also a symbol of making the most out of the available resources.
Ingredients and Preparations
Rice: The star of the dish, broken rice, is slightly fractured grains that create a distinctive texture, different from that of whole rice grains. While traditionally the broken grains were by-products of the rice milling process, today they are purposely broken and sold specifically for dishes such as Com Tam.
Pork chops: Preferably thin cuts that absorb marinades well. The marinade typically consists of garlic, shallots, sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce, ingraining the pork with sweet, salty, and umami flavours.
Additional components: A fried egg, fresh vegetables (cucumber slices and tomato wedges), pickled carrots and daikon radish, and often a smattering of green onions or scallions. The ensemble is never without the iconic fish sauce-based dressing (nuoc mam), which ties all components together with its sweet, salty, sour, and spicy notes.
Marinating the Pork
Begin your culinary adventure the night before you plan to serve. For the pork chops: - Mince a few cloves of garlic and a shallot. - Combine with a tablespoon of sugar, three tablespoons of fish sauce, a splash of light soy sauce, and a touch of freshly ground black pepper. - Massage this mixture into both sides of your pork chops and leave them to marinate overnight in the refrigerator, allowing the flavours to meld beautifully.
Preparing the Broken Rice
On the day of feasting, cook the broken rice: - Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. - If you own a rice cooker, fill it with the washed grains and water (follow the manufacturer’s guide for specific water-to-rice ratios). - For those preferring the stovetop method, bring water to a boil, add the rice, then cover and simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Crafting the Accoutrements
While the rice cooks, prepare the additional fresh and pickled elements to garnish your dish: - Thinly slice cucumbers and tomatoes. - For the pickles, julienne carrots and daikon radish, then immerse them in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let sit for at least an hour. - Fry an egg per serving; sunny side up remains the traditional style.
Grilling the Pork Chops
Once your preparations are sorted:
- Heat a grill or a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
- Remove the pork chops from the marinade and sear them until cooked through—ideal internal temperature should reach around 62 degrees Celsius, with a nicely caramelised exterior.
Assembling Com Tam Suon
Now comes the symphony of assembling:
- Spoon a mound of fluffed, warm broken rice onto each plate.
- Lay a grilled pork chop alongside the rice.
- Add a fried egg on top of the rice and arrange slices of cucumbers and tomatoes, along with a generous helping of pickled vegetables.
- Finally, drizzle over some nuoc mam to elevate the dish with its quintessential Vietnamese flavour.
Creating Com Tam Suon is akin to painting on a culinary canvas, where each ingredient adds its unique stroke, creating a harmonious masterpiece. This dish, when savoured, doesn’t just satiate hunger but also offers a taste of Vietnamese tradition and the ingenuity lurking in seemingly straightforward ingredients. Whether for a bustling breakfast or a leisurely lunch, mastering Com Tam Suon promises an enriching addition to your culinary repertoire, inviting a touch of Vietnam right into your kitchen.