Vietnamese Spicy Clam Rice (Cơm hến)

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) clams 500g (1.1 lb) clams
• 2 cups (400g) jasmine rice 2 cups (400g) jasmine rice
• 4 cups (950ml) water 4 cups (950ml) water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 red chili peppers, finely chopped 2 red chili peppers, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 lime, juiced 1 lime, juiced
• 1 cup mixed herbs (mint, coriander, Vietnamese perilla), chopped 1 cup mixed herbs (mint, coriander, Vietnamese perilla), chopped
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 62g, 3g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the clams thoroughly under cold water to remove any sand or grit. Discard any clams that are open or damaged.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the rice and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. 3.
   In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallots, and chili peppers, and sauté until fragrant.
4. 4.
   Add the clams to the pan and cook until they open, discarding any clams that remain closed.
5. 5.
   Stir in the fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. 6.
   Add the cooked rice to the pan and mix well to combine all the flavors. Season with salt to taste.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with the chopped herbs.
8. 8.
   Serve hot and enjoy the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese Spicy Clam Rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Clams — Make sure to discard any clams that are open or damaged before cooking. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any sand or grit.
• Jasmine rice — Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy grains.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add more chili peppers to suit your taste.
• Serve Cơm hến with a side of fresh lettuce leaves for a refreshing crunch.
• Adjust the amount of fish sauce and sugar according to your preference for saltiness and sweetness.
• To make the dish more substantial, you can add cooked shrimp or sliced pork.
• If clams are not available, you can substitute them with mussels or other seafood.

Serving advice

Serve Cơm hến in individual bowls or on a large platter, allowing each person to garnish their portion with the desired amount of herbs. Accompany the dish with lime wedges for an extra burst of tanginess.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some additional chopped herbs on top of the dish before serving. The vibrant colors of the herbs will add visual appeal to the dish.