Thịt Bò Nướng Lá Lốt (Vietnamese Grilled Beef Wrapped in Betel Leaves) MY EXPERIENCE

The rolls

So I saw this recipe on my cyber travels for beef stuffed BETEL LEAVES

http://theculinarychronicles.com/2011/11/14/th%E1%BB%8Bt-bo-n%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Bng-la-l%E1%BB%91t-vietnamese-grilled-beef-wrapped-in-betel-leaves/

I was intrigued cause BETEL LEAVES are a intoxicant in many South Asian countries when chewed with Areca nuts, lime and other flavorings. The aforementioned mixture is known as PAAN...

Paan is used EVERYWHERE. Its a legal drug, mouth freshener, when passed around its a deal sealer and wedding sealer...

Literally NOTHING gets done in some South Asian countries without the tin of Paan being passed around.

So the other day I was at the Indian Supermarket and noticed that they sell PAAN ingredients, FRESH BETEL LEAVES! I bought 2, to taste.

I got home and tore a little edge off and stuck it in my mouth and chewed it. OMG such a pop of greeny peppery tongue tingling medicinal flavor! I spit it out to consider if I liked it or not,
About 2 minutes later I swear I felt like  NEEDED to chew some more, so I did, with some Nerds candy, and that time it tasted like a strawberry cigar.

I definitely liked it.

So Thanksgiving came and went and then I went back to buy 6 more leaves and make the

Thịt Bò Nướng Lá Lốt...

 

Here are my rolls with the rice paper, pickled carrot and cucumber and sweet-sour-salty dipping sauce