A: Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of VOV 24/7’s “Food Delight”. We are ... and …, and we’re very happy to be here to share our recipes with you.

B: Hi, guys. Hello, A. Well, which food shall we introduce to our listeners today?

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A: Hey B. Why am I always the one to suggest the dish? Today, it’s your turn. 

B: You know I’m not good at cooking like you. I must confess, I’ve got no idea now. 

A: Believe me. Practice makes perfect. Let me help you a bit. We will start with brainstorming, hah. Pork, shrimp, beef, or fish-Which ingredient is your favorite?  

B: Umm, fish. 

A: Yep, fried fish, steamed fish, grilled fish, fish porridge, fish soup, and fish curry. Just choose one recipe that you like the most.

B: Oh, come on, A. Those fish recipes are delicious, but so familiar. Why don’t we try something that’s really different from what we usually do? 

A: Umm. Like what?

B: I mean, for example, fish spring rolls. 

A: How did you come up with that? I mean, it sounds great, sweetie. 

B: The idea just suddenly popped into my head. Well, with familiar ingredients, just change the recipe a little bit, and you’ve created a stunning fish dish. 

A: Yep. Fish spring rolls can be served as snacks, appetizers, or with steamed rice. Simple, inexpensive, but very delicious, hah. 

The fish spring roll is a little bit different from traditional spring rolls using pork, shrimp or sea-crab as main ingredients, so, it would be a very good idea to diversify your menu (Source: Foodtolove.com)

B: Right. And the good news is I’ve invited Mrs Thuy Van, who has lots of experience cooking this impressive dish to the studio. She will tell us more about it.  

A: Great. So, my dear audience, are you ready to discover one of the most amazing fish recipes with me? If I hear yes, let’s start right now. “The fish spring roll is a little bit different from traditional spring rolls using pork, shrimp or sea-crab as main ingredients, so, it would be a very good idea to diversify your menu. Lăng fish or hemibagrus, a species of catfish, is suitable for the dish as it doesn’t have too many bones and a fishy smell like the tilapia or red tilapia. And the most important thing is getting rid of the fishy smell and elevating its specific flavor, which is not easy at all.” 

The crucial ingredient, which decides the quality of the dish is “thi la” or dill, a kind of herb used in almost all Vietnamese fish recipes, which can effectively wipe out the fishy smell (Source: Iamafoodblog)

B: I think that the reason I first fell in love with this dish is that it’s rich in protein, low in fat, full of heart-healthy omega-3s, and absolutely an excellent choice for those  like me looking for a healthful option. 

A: And the ingredients are easy to prepare, right?

B:  Yes. But the preparation process is not so easy. For me, removing the bones from the fish fillets before cooking them seems to be the hardest skill. You know, the tiny bones are very tough to find as they're often barely visible in the fish's flesh.  

A: Oh, really? I have a stunning trick for you to follow. Just drape the fish fillet over the bottom of the bowl when de-boning, as the bowl's curvature makes the bones really pop out, and you can easily grasp each one with a pair of tweezers. Easy right?

Vietnamese fish recipes require many tips, from preparing fish to cooking it. But, with just a little passion, patience and creativity, you can successfully nail the dish (Source: deact.life.com)

B: That’s cool. Thuy Van, do you have any tips to get rid of the fishy smell? “The crucial ingredient, which decides the quality of the dish is “thi la” or dill, a kind of herb used in almost all Vietnamese fish recipes, which can effectively wipe out the fishy smell. Wrapping the fish spring rolls is exactly like wrapping others rolls. After seasoning, you place the filling onto a sheet of softened rice paper, then, roll up the paper gently. Remember to apply a little pressure when rolling to ensure that the roll is firm and tight.”

A: The dish is a great combination of fish meat, mushroom, wood ear, spring onion, dill, and pepper, which will definitely create a fantastic song in your mouth. Oh, who could say no to this gorgeous summer treat?

B: Ok, ok. Calm down A. Thuy Van still has more tips. “To impart the flavor of the fish spring roll, you have to prepare a special mixture made from boiled cooking oil, crushed turmeric and chopped dill. The mixture then will be added to the filling to decrease the fishy smell and create an unforgettable taste for the dish. This roll is served with anchovy sauce, which is blended with chopped dill, sugar, and chili to enhance its fragrance.”

 A: Vietnamese fish recipes require many tips, from preparing fish to cooking it. But, with just a little passion, patience and creativity, you can successfully nail the dish. 

B:  And trust me; a stunning fish recipe like this is a good choice for your family meals. If you are a true fan of Vietnamese food, you shouldn’t miss it. Good luck for your cooking and bon appetit. Join us next time on VOV24/7’s Food Delight. For now, good bye.