The cool weekend weather is perfect for enjoying delicious frog dishes together. And “Ech chien rom” (Fried frog with straw), also known as “Ech leo rao” (Frog climbing the fence) or “Ech nup lum” (Frog hiding in the bush), is a dish loved by many.

If you are eating this dish for the first time, you will be quite surprised by its name and its presentation. The name “Fried frog with straw” reminds us of actual straw; these “strands” look very much like straw but are completely edible. In fact, it is fresh lemongrass deep-fried until crispy and marinated with fragrant seasonings, offering a unique taste through a special preparation method and spices.

One might think these “straw” strands are just for decoration, but they are actually quite delicious.

Golden-fried frog pieces topped with meticulously prepared crispy lemongrass strands look extremely eye-catching and appetizing.

Surely, you will never forget this dish once you have tasted it.

And if you want to show off your cooking skills at home this weekend, here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

– Field frogs: about 300 grams

– Fresh lemongrass stalks: about 100 grams

– Simple seasonings: MSG, fish sauce, and pepper.

Instructions:

– Clean the field frogs thoroughly, drain well, and chop into bite-sized pieces.

– Next, prepare the “Straw”: Smash the lemongrass stalks and shred them into strands, then marinate with MSG, fish sauce, and pepper.

– Fry the frogs in oil, then set aside.

– Coat the marinated “straw” with dry flour, put it into the oil pan, and fry until crispy.

– Arrange on a plate and serve with salt, pepper, and lime.

Finally, enjoy your Fried Frog with Straw!

Bon appétit!

Compiled by Bang Tam