Com Tam Recipe

Have you ever tried something so flavorful it feels like a culinary passport to another world? Let me take you on a mouthwatering journey to Vietnam with this scrumptious Com Tam—because sometimes the most delightful things come in broken forms. Get ready to dive into a plate of grilled pork goodness, crunchy veggies, and perfectly fluffy rice, all crowned with a golden fried egg!

I love the delightful blend of flavors in Com Tam, a Vietnamese classic that’s both simple and satisfying. This dish features broken rice, perfectly grilled pork chops marinated in fish sauce, lemongrass, and honey, paired with fried eggs and vibrant pickled vegetables.

The addition of roasted peanuts and Nuoc Cham brings it all together. For me, it’s not just a meal, but a symphony of textures and tastes.

Com Tam Recipe Ingredients

• Broken Rice (Com Tam): Versatile and rich in carbohydrates, it provides essential energy.
• Pork Chop: High in protein, it’s essential for muscle growth and rich in flavor.
• Fish Sauce: Adds umami and saltiness, enhancing depth and complexity.
• Garlic: Boosts the immune system with its antiviral properties.
• Lemongrass: Imparts citrusy notes and serves as a natural antioxidant.
• Fried Eggs: Rich in protein and healthy fats, adding creaminess.
• Pickled Vegetables: Provide a tangy crunch and aid in digestion.
• Nuoc Cham: A perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

Com Tam Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 500g broken rice (Com Tam)
• 4 pieces pork chop, about 150g each
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemongrass, minced
• 2 tablespoons scallions, chopped
• 4 fried eggs
• Pickled vegetables (carrot and daikon)
• Cucumber slices
• 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed
• Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce)

How to Make this Com Tam Recipe

1. Rinse the broken rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to package instructions or in a rice cooker with a 1:
1.5 rice-to-water ratio.

2. In a bowl, combine fish sauce, sugar, vegetable oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, black pepper, and minced lemongrass. Mix well to form a marinade.

3. Place the pork chops in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Ensure each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for better flavor.

4. Preheat a grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove pork chops from the marinade and grill each side for about 6-7 minutes, or until cooked through and nicely charred. Let the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing.

5. While the pork is grilling, fry the eggs in a separate pan to your desired doneness.

6. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and set aside.

7. Prepare the plate by placing a generous scoop of broken rice in the center.

8. Arrange the sliced grilled pork chops on one side, and place a fried egg on each plate over the rice.

9. Add a helping of pickled vegetables and cucumber slices to the plate for freshness and crunch.

10. Garnish with chopped scallions and crushed roasted peanuts. Serve with a side of Nuoc Cham for dipping and drizzling. Enjoy!

Com Tam Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Rice cooker or saucepan with lid
2. Large bowl
3. Measuring spoons
4. Spoon or whisk for mixing marinade
5. Shallow dish for marinating pork
6. Plastic wrap or cover for dish
7. Grill or grill pan
8. Tongs or spatula for flipping pork chops
9. Frying pan for eggs
10. Fork for fluffing rice
11. Knife for slicing pork
12. Plates for serving
13. Small bowl for Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce)

FAQ

• What is broken rice? Broken rice refers to the fragments of rice grains that are broken during milling. It’s commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine, known for its slightly different texture and ability to absorb flavors well.
• Can I substitute regular rice for broken rice? While broken rice is traditional, you can substitute with jasmine rice if broken rice is unavailable. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
• What is Nuoc Cham, and can I make it at home? Nuoc Cham is a popular Vietnamese dipping sauce made from fish sauce, water, sugar, lime juice, and chili. It can easily be made at home and adds a tangy, savory flavor to the dish.
• How should I prepare the pork chops? Marinate them with fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, black pepper, and lemongrass for at least an hour for best results, then grill or pan-fry until cooked through.
• Are there vegetarian alternatives for this dish? You can replace the pork with grilled tofu or seitan and use vegetarian fish sauce to keep the flavors authentic.
• How do I make pickled vegetables for Com Tam? Mix julienned carrot and daikon with vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let them soak for at least an hour to achieve a quick pickle.
• Can I omit peanuts from the recipe? Yes, you can omit peanuts if you have allergies or prefer not to include them. The dish will still be tasty and full of flavor.

Com Tam Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of fish sauce: Use soy sauce for a different taste, or tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Instead of vegetable oil: Use canola oil or peanut oil as alternatives.
• Instead of honey: Use maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Instead of pork chop: Use chicken breast or firm tofu for a vegetarian version.
• Instead of roasted peanuts: Use cashews or sunflower seeds for a different nutty flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Marinade Time For optimal flavor, marinate the pork chops overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply, resulting in juicier and more flavorful pork chops.

2. Lemongrass Preparation When using lemongrass, make sure to remove the tough outer layers and only use the tender white part. Mince it finely to ensure it blends well into the marinade, releasing its citrusy aroma and flavor.

3. Grill Marks To achieve beautiful grill marks on the pork chops, make sure the grill or grill pan is well preheated before placing the meat on it. Resist moving the pork too soon; allow it to naturally release from the grill surface before flipping.

4. Rice Texture Rinse the broken rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This will help achieve a fluffier texture once cooked.

5. Serving Suggestion Serve the Nuoc Cham sauce in individual dipping bowls for each person. This allows guests to customize the amount of sauce they prefer on their rice and pork, enhancing the overall dining experience.