Bun Mam (Vietnamese Fermented Fish Rice Noodle Soup) Recipe

Ingredients:
Preparing Pork Bones
1 1/2 lb. Pork Bones
Kosher Salt
Water

Preparing Fermented Fish Mixture
1 cup Fermented Fish (Mam Ca Sac)
3 1/2 cups Water

Broth Ingredients
Blanched Pork Bones
Fermented Fish Mixture
Water (14-16 cups)
3 Lemongrass Sticks
2oz. Rock Sugar or to taste
3/4 tsp. Kosher Salt or to taste
2 Tbsp. Oil
1 Tbsp. minced Garlic
1 Tbsp. chopped Shallots
4 Tbsp. minced Lemongrass
1/4 tsp. Turmeric Powder

Additional Ingredients
2 Fillet Fish (any kind)
pinch of Kosher Salt
1 tsp. minced Garlic
5-6 Large Shrimp
Rice Noodles/Vermicelli
Fresh Herbs
Shredded Water Spinach Stems
Shredded Banana Blossom
Bean Sprouts
Lime
Chili Pepper
Jalapenos
Egg Rolls (optional)


First, fill a pot with some water and add in 1 tsp. Kosher Salt and 1 1/2 lb. Pork Bones. Blanch the bones, rinse and drain out the water.
Now to make the broth, fill a large pot with water.  Add in 1 tsp. Kosher Salt and the blanched Pork Bones.  Bring to a simmer, remember to skim the broth.
After about 15 minutes add in a whole Onion, continue to let it simmer.

In the mean time prepare the fermented fish,  for this recipe you'll need 1 cup Mam Ca Sac.  These fermented fish are available in jars at most Asian market.
This is optional, but you might want to remove some of the marinade sauce off the fish.
By doing so it'll help make the broth from being too salty.  Once you have done that, in a large sauce pan boil 3 1/2 cups Water.  Add in the fermented fish.
Let it simmer until the fish has dissolved. Use a fine strainer, strain it through to make sure there are no fish bones.
You might want to do it twice or use a cheesecloth.  When you're done, pour it into the broth.

Add in about 3 Lemongrass Sticks and 2oz. Rock Sugar or to taste. Add in about 3/4 tsp. Kosher Salt or to taste.
Continue to let it simmer. In a pan add in 2 Tbsp. of Oil. Add in 1 Tbsp. minced Garlic and 1 Tbsp.
chopped Shallots. Then add in 4 Tbsp. minced Lemongrass.  Mix for a little bit.  Add in 1/4 tsp. Turmeric Powder. Mix well then add into the broth.
Let it simmer for 1 hour.

Prepare the 2 fillet fish.  Boil some water, add in a pinch of Kosher Salt and 1 tsp. minced Garlic.
Add in the 2 Fillet Fish, let it cook.  You can use any kind of fish. Once it's done remove and set aside.
Boil some Large Shrimp, remove and set aside.

Prepare the Vegetables, you can shred some Water Spinach stem and Banana Blossom.  Have some fresh herbs and bean sprouts ready.

Boil some thin Rice noodles and have it ready.  Cut some Limes, Chili Pepper or Jalapenos. You can also serve some Egg Rolls with this dish.
When you have everything ready it's time to assemble bowl.
Place some Rice Noodles into a bowl.  Add in Fillet Fish and Shrimp. Pour in the broth.
Garnish with shredded Water Spinach Stems, shredded Banana Blossom, Bean Sprouts, Fresh Herbs and squeeze in some Lime Juice. Enjoy!