Bun Rieu

Name: Bun Rieu
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 8 cups pork broth; 1 lb lump crabmeat, drained; 1/2 lb ground pork; 2 large egg, beaten; 1 tbsp fine shrimp paste; 4 roma tomatoes, wedged; 2 cups fried tofu puffs, halved; 8 oz dried rice vermicelli noodles, cooked; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 2 tbsp annatto oil; 4 shallots, minced

A savory Vietnamese noodle soup featuring a rich tomato broth with crab meatballs and soft tofu.

65 minMediumServes 4480 cal/serving

VietnameseSoupStovetopHigh ProteinGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

8 cups pork broth
1 lb lump crabmeat, drained
1/2 lb ground pork
2 large egg, beaten
1 tbsp fine shrimp paste
4 roma tomatoes, wedged
2 cups fried tofu puffs, halved
8 oz dried rice vermicelli noodles, cooked
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp annatto oil
4 shallots, minced

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp annatto oil in a large pot over medium heat and saute 4 minced shallots until fragrant.
2

Add 4 wedged roma tomatoes and saute for 3 minutes until softened slightly.
3

Pour in 8 cups pork broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
4

In a bowl, mix 1 lb drained lump crabmeat, 1/2 lb ground pork, 2 beaten large egg, 1 tbsp fine shrimp paste, and 2 tbsp fish sauce until combined.
5

Gently drop spoonfuls of the crab paste mixture into the simmering broth to form meatballs.
6

Add 2 cups halved fried tofu puffs and simmer for 10 minutes until meatballs float and reach an internal temperature of 160F.
7

Divide 8 oz cooked dried rice vermicelli noodles into bowls and ladle broth, crab meatballs, tomatoes, and tofu over top.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Bun Rieu reach?

For Bun Rieu, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 6. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What can I use instead of achiote in Bun Rieu?

The entry for Bun Rieu calls for 2 tbsp annatto oil. In its place: Mix paprika with a pinch of turmeric and a few drops of vinegar for the color and mild earthiness.

Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground pork in Bun Rieu?

Yes. Use dark-meat ground chicken or turkey if you can, and add a teaspoon of oil per half pound, since pork brings fat that poultry does not. As written, the entry for Bun Rieu uses 1/2 lb ground pork.

Does Bun Rieu contain shellfish?

Yes: 1 tbsp fine shrimp paste. The full allergen list for this entry is eggs, soy, shellfish and fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How much protein is in Bun Rieu?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 32 g of protein in about 480 calories, alongside 55 g carbohydrate and 14 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 1250 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein soup collection.

Serve it with

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