Vegetarian Bánh Xèo with Nuoc Cham Chay and Ginger-Lime Soymilk

About this meal

A plant-based version of the iconic Vietnamese crispy rice pancake (bánh xèo), filled with marinated tofu, mung bean sprouts, and mushrooms, served with a tangy-sour diabetic-friendly dipping sauce (nuoc cham chay) and paired with a ginger-lime soymilk drink for added protein and calories.

Ingredients

• Unbleached rice flour — 1 cup
• Coconut milk (full fat, unsweetened) — 1/2 cup
• Water — 1 1/4 cups
• Ground turmeric — 1/2 tsp
• Salt — 1/2 tsp
• Green onions (thinly sliced) — 3 tbsp
• Firm tofu (pressed and cut into strips) — 150 g
• Shiitake mushrooms (fresh, thinly sliced) — 1/2 cup
• Bean sprouts — 1 cup
• Carrot (julienned) — 1/3 cup
• Coriander (cilantro) — 2 tbsp
• Fresh mint — 2 tbsp
• Neutral oil (avocado or grapeseed) — 2 tbsp
• Garlic (minced) — 2 cloves
• Black pepper — To taste
• Lettuce leaves — For serving
• Chili pepper (optional, chopped) — To taste
• Date syrup — 2 tsp
• Lime juice (freshly squeezed) — 3 tbsp
• Low-sodium soy sauce — 2 tbsp
• Water (for nuoc cham chay) — 3 tbsp
• Soy milk (unsweetened) — 1 cup
• Fresh ginger root — 1/2 inch, grated
• Lime zest — 1/2 tsp
• Maple syrup — 1 tsp

Steps

1. Whisk rice flour, coconut milk, water, turmeric, salt, and green onion in a bowl to form a thin batter. Rest 15 minutes.
2. Sauté garlic in neutral oil in a skillet. Add tofu, mushrooms, black pepper, and a pinch of salt; stir-fry till golden. Set aside.
3. Heat a small nonstick pan with a little oil. Pour in batter to make a thin crepe. When edges crisp (2–3 min), add tofu-mushroom mixture and spread bean sprouts and carrots on top.
4. Fold the crepe over and cook another minute. Repeat with all batter.
5. For nuoc cham chay, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce, lime juice, date syrup, water, chili, and more lime to taste.
6. For the drink: In a blender, combine unsweetened soy milk, grated ginger, lime zest, and maple syrup. Blend until smooth. Serve chilled.
7. Serve bánh xèo with fresh lettuce, herbs, and nuoc cham chay. Enjoy with the ginger-lime soymilk drink.