The scent of sticky rice and cassava in the winter wind of Hanoi

In the bitter cold of Hanoi winter, when the cold winds blow through every street, there is nothing that warms the heart like the smell of sticky rice and cassava rising from a small stall in the corner of the market.

Nep cai hoa vang - the fragrant sticky rice of the North. Photo: Thuy Linh

The rustic aroma reminds me of early mornings on my way to school, when my child's trembling hands receive a handful of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves still warm from my mother.

Cassava sticky rice is not elaborate, but has a strange charm. Each fresh cassava is carefully selected - it must have smooth skin, long shape, small core, little fiber, avoid buying cassava with bends or indentations, which have a lot of fiber, core... The skillful person chooses red-skinned cassava for a strong flavor, white cassava for a soft and fatty texture. Then the cassava is peeled, cut into pieces, soaked in rice water to dissolve the bitter taste, leaving a pure sweetness like the late winter sun.

At the same time, the fragrant sticky rice of the North is soaked until full, drained, then mixed with cassava, and lightly tossed with a little salt. The steam in the steamer boils gently, the white smoke rises, enveloping the smell of sticky rice, cassava, scallion oil… blending together to create a harmony of cold-season cuisine .

Mix in green onion oil when the sticky rice is cooked. Photo: Thuy Linh

The skillful person who cooks sticky rice will open the lid at the right time, stir well so that the cassava and sticky rice blend together, add a little lard or chicken fat to make the sticky rice shiny, soft and not sticky.

Then the bowl of green onion oil is poured with hot oil, the onion is just cooked, keeping all the aroma and color.

When the sticky rice is cooked, it is spread out on a bamboo tray, drizzled with a layer of scallion oil, sprinkled with roasted sesame salt or a pinch of fragrant fried shallots - all like a simple yet warm culinary picture.

Hot, sticky cassava sticky rice. Photo: Thuy Linh

A piece of hot, sticky, rich, salty, fragrant sticky rice with cassava… is enough to dispel the cold outside.

In the hustle and bustle of Hanoi streets, just sitting next to a small stall, deeply inhaling the fragrant sticky rice scent, the fatty taste and listening to the wind rustling through the eaves - we suddenly feel that winter has become strangely warm and lovely.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/huong-xoi-san-trong-gio-dong-ha-noi-721117.html