Forget boring ol' spinach. If you're looking to seriously tantalize your tastebuds, look no further than Vietnam's iconic stir-fried morning glory. This humble veggie dish has recently stolen the spotlight, earning a coveted spot among the world's 100 best vegetable plates according to taste tastemakers TasteAtlas.
But what's the big whoop over some stir-fried greens? Let's find out why this Southeast Asian staple has people across the globe glorin' over morning glory.
Demystifying the Morning Glory Mystique
Before we dig in, let's clear up exactly what morning glory is. Known as rau muống in Vietnamese, morning glory is a leafy green veggie commonly found throughout Southeast Asia. With its long, hollow stalks and arrow-shaped leaves, it makes spinach look like a scrawny weakling in comparison.
Don't confuse it with the morning glory you might see climbing a neighbor's fence. This ain't your grandma's flowering vine. Morning glory the vegetable is totally different, and man oh man, is it nutrition-packed!
Professor Do Tat Loi's book Herbal Plants and Remedies of Vietnam shows it contains a bonanza of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, calcium, iron, and more. It's like a natural vitamin pill in every bite!
From Humble Villages to Royal Courts
Unlike trendy new "superfoods", morning glory is no Johnny-come-lately. This classic dish has street cred for centuries as a Vietnamese menu staple.
Traditionally served as the starter course in a classic three-part Vietnamese meal, there's even an origin legend tying it to royalty. As the story goes, a king traveling through Linh Chieu Village was so wowed by the local morning glory stir-fry that he demanded the dish every year after. Now that's a rave review!
So why has this humble veggie dish long been so popular in Vietnam? There's a few good reasons:
It thrives easily in the tropical climate, making it cheap and readily available.
With just a few ingredients, it comes together in a flash - perfect for busy cooks.
The sweet morning glory pairs divinely with garlicky, gingery, savory flavors. Mmm, mmm!
Eating it evokes nostalgia and connections to Vietnamese cultural traditions.
Global Tastemakers Take Notice
While it's always been a staple for locals, morning glory stir-fry recently made waves globally by earning a place among the world's 100 best veggie dishes according to TasteAtlas.
For those not familiar with TasteAtlas, it's an online encyclopedia and world atlas of traditional plates, ingredients, and eateries. Recipes are curated and rated by users to create rankings of authentic dishes.
For this humble home-cooking dish to take its place beside culinary masterpieces from around the globe shows just how special morning glory is. This recognition plants it firmly on the radar of foodie explorers worldwide.
Step-By-Step: DIY Vietnamese Morning Glory Stir-Fry
Ready to get cookin' with this icon of Vietnamese cuisine? Follow these simple steps for authentic rau muống xào at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb morning glory, washed and cut into 2-3" pieces
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1-2 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for veggie)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- Pinch of sugar
- Squeeze of lime juice (optional)
Directions:
Blanch morning glory in boiling water for 2 minutes if desired. Drain and set aside.
Heat oil in wok/pan on medium-high. Cook minced garlic 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
Increase heat to high. Add morning glory and stir fry 2 minutes.
Add fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Toss to coat evenly. Cook 2 more minutes until greens wilt but maintain shape.
Remove from heat. Transfer to plate. Squeeze lime juice over the top if desired.
Devour this glorious goodness with rice and other Vietnamese faves!
Tips for Success:
Use very high heat to maintain texture and vibrant color.
Don't overcook or it can get mushy. Aim for tender-crisp stems.
Adjust sauces to taste. Add more fish or oyster sauce if needed.
Once you've nailed the basics, get creative with ingredients like beef, shrimp, tofu or spicy chilies!
Serve It Up in Style
A plate of morning glory stir-fry is fab on its own, but also pairs deliciously with other Vietnamese menu staples. Some savory suggestions:
Steamy white rice is a must to soak up all the yummy juices.
Grilled pork or chicken adds satisfying protein.
Crispy spring rolls provide an addictive crunch factor.
Sour canh soup or steamy pho noodle soup make it a well-rounded meal.
Still Not Sold? Here's Why You Gotta Try It
Need a bit more convincing before embracing the glory of morning glory? Here's some added benefits of adding this wholesome green to your grocery list:
Great source of iron to circulate oxygen in the blood.
Studies show it may help lower LDL cholesterol. Hello, heart health!
Chock-full of antioxidants to halt cellular damage by free radicals.
So what are you waiting for? It's high time to sizzle up a hot, healthy plate of iconic Vietnamese morning glory stir-fry. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions about Morning Glory Stir-Fry
What does morning glory taste like?
Morning glory has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with an earthy undertone. The leaves taste similar to spinach, while the crunchy hollow stems are reminiscent of water chestnuts. It's quite mellow on its own, which is why it's often cooked with punchy seasonings.
Is it easy to find morning glory to purchase?
In the U.S. and Europe, morning glory can be found at Asian grocery stores, especially those specializing in Vietnamese ingredients. It's also increasingly available at mainstream grocers and farmers markets. If you can't find fresh, some Asian markets sell it frozen.
Can I grow morning glory myself?
Absolutely! Morning glory is easy to cultivate in tropical and subtropical climates. It thrives with plenty of sun, warm weather, and moist fertile soil. Plant from seed or get starter plants from a nursery. Just be sure to get the vegetable variety, not the flowering vine.
What's the difference between morning glory and water spinach?
Morning glory and water spinach refer to the same vegetable - rau muống in Vietnamese. Water spinach is the direct English translation, while morning glory comes from the Chinese name. Either name works when seeking out this tasty green!
What's the best oil for cooking morning glory stir-fry?
Most traditional Vietnamese cooks opt for peanut oil, as it can withstand high heat. Grapeseed and vegetable oil are also good choices. Sesame oil adds nice nutty flavor, but use it sparingly or just as a finishing drizzle since its smoke point is low.