Cookbook giveaway – The Slanted Door

Charles Phan

Award-winning chef and restaurateur Charles Phan opened The Slanted Door in San Francisco in 1995, inspired by the food of his native Vietnam. Since then, The Slanted Door has grown into a world-class dining destination, and its accessible, modern take on classic Vietnamese dishes is beloved by diners, chefs, and critics alike. Now the eagerly anticipated The Slanted Door: Modern Vietnamese Food is finally here.  Phan has penned not just a cookbook, but a love letter to the restaurant, its people, and its food. Featuring stories in addition to iconic recipes, The Slanted Door both celebrates a culinary institution and allows home cooks to recreate its excellence.

The Slanted DoorPhan has graciously provided EYB members a recipe excerpt from his cookbook, a first for EYB! Even better, we’re delighted to offer two copies of the book to EYB Members in the USA and Canada only. Enter by clicking on the contest below the recipe. Please note that while one of the entry options is to answer a question in the comments, you must enter through Rafflecopter or your entries won’t be counted. The contest ends November 8, 2014.

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Ginger Beef Vermicelli from The Slanted Door by Charles Phan

About ten years ago I met up with restaurateur Bobby Chinn, the London educated New York stock trader who eventually found his calling as a chef. His hugely successful Restaurant Bobby Chinn opened in 2001 in Hanoi, and he followed up a decade later with a location in Saigon. When I visited him in Hanoi, we hopped on his scooter and he took me to a street stall where a woman was stir-frying beef and garlic, which were served over noodles. The key to her delicious dish was getting a caramelized crust on the beef without burning the garlic. At the Slanted Door we do this by stir-frying the beef and garlic separately, but at home, just give the beef a quick stir-fry before adding the garlic.

6 ounces bavette or flank steak, thinly sliced on the diagonal
4 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Pinch of kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
2 teaspoons fish sauce
3 cups cooked rice vermicelli
Flavored fish sauce for serving

For serving:
Lettuce, torn
Roasted, unsalted peanuts

Serves 2 to 4

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the beef slices, 1 tablespoon of the oil, the cornstarch, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Use your hands to toss together and set aside.
  2. Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water evaporates on contact. Add 1½ tablespoons of the oil and heat until shimmering. Add half the beef and cook, stirring, until the beef is browned, about a minute. Add half the garlic, half the ginger, and half the fish sauce and continue cooking until the beef is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining oil, beef, garlic, and fish sauce.
  3. Serve the beef on top of the vermicelli, and a bed of torn lettuce. Sprinkle with peanuts, and serve with flavored fish sauce alongside.

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100 Comments

  • Titch  on  October 11, 2014

    I don't know any Vietnamese recipe's, this cookbook would come in very handy xxx

  • trudys_person  on  October 11, 2014

    I've enjoyed what little Vietnamese food I've tried, so I'd love to learn more! Thank you!

  • Love2ReadBooks2Day  on  October 11, 2014

    I love making Vietnamese Spring Rolls and serve them with a peanut sauce.

  • camtncook  on  October 11, 2014

    I am learning to cook more Vietnamese food. We do enjoy Pho…

  • Rinshin  on  October 11, 2014

    Vietnamese food is quite getting popular in Japan amongst younger women. I have bought 2 Vietnamese cookbooks so far and trying to understand more. My fav has to be bahn xeo.

  • Laura  on  October 11, 2014

    The Slanted Door is one of my most favorite restaurants in San Francisco. I would love to have this book.

  • pgarcia  on  October 11, 2014

    Pho!

  • raechef1  on  October 11, 2014

    Spring rolls!

  • hillsboroks  on  October 11, 2014

    I love making fresh spring rolls at home.

  • dbcurrie  on  October 11, 2014

    I've only had Vietnamese food in restaurants, but I'd like to make some!

  • sideshoes  on  October 11, 2014

    Pho. We adopted three girls from Vietnam when they were 5, 8, and 9 (they are all now in their 20's) and so I learned as much about Vietnamese cooking as I could. One of our favorites is Pho!

  • cecrofts  on  October 12, 2014

    Banh mi.

  • fraserkr  on  October 12, 2014

    I've yet to make any Vietnamese recipe at home. That's why I need thist cookbook.

  • LoriPedro  on  October 12, 2014

    Would love to learn some great Vietnamese recipes. This is one food genre I haven't explored with cooking but would enjoy.

  • TrishaCP  on  October 12, 2014

    Banh xeo

  • FieenaZ  on  October 12, 2014

    Spring rolls

  • milgwimper  on  October 12, 2014

    Banh xeo, bahn Mi, and many more! I love pho and Bún bò Huế. I could go on and on!

  • Penchantforproduce  on  October 12, 2014

    Beef stuffed grape leaves!

  • kayanelson  on  October 12, 2014

    I make Cooks Illustrated Pho and it's quite delicous.

  • cambridgecook  on  October 12, 2014

    Caramelized Catfish

  • deucemom  on  October 12, 2014

    Grilled lemongrass pork chops – I LOVE Vietnamese food. I am excited about a new book!

  • mgwalter  on  October 12, 2014

    Love making salad rolls. It's easy to prepare the ingredients ahead of time and you can turn them into a meal as they've got everything one would need.

  • sunnydaysrule  on  October 12, 2014

    I haven't made any Vietnamese recipes yet but hope to try to make something simple soon.

  • sillyvy  on  October 13, 2014

    Vietnamese crepes!

  • meggan  on  October 13, 2014

    Bahn mi -yum!

  • babyfork  on  October 13, 2014

    I don't think I've ever cooked Vietnamese at home, but I do love the food at The Slanted Door!

  • decklededges  on  October 14, 2014

    I've never made any at home – but I'd love to try!

  • DKennedy  on  October 14, 2014

    I have fond memories of the Slanted Door and would love to have this book.

  • chawkins  on  October 14, 2014

    Spring rolls, summer rolls and bun bo kho.

  • dbielick  on  October 14, 2014

    Haven't made any at home but would love to.

  • madamepince  on  October 15, 2014

    I'd love to know how to make really good pho.

  • kidzcook  on  October 15, 2014

    Pho

  • munki  on  October 15, 2014

    Vietnamese is one of those cuisines I always go for when out. Would love to try making it at home.

  • kimtrev  on  October 15, 2014

    the only thing I have made is bahn mi, which is fine because they're fantastic.

  • LDGourmet  on  October 15, 2014

    I love to do rice paper fresh rolls. (Don't call it salad, just wrap it in rice paper and your husband will gobble up his greens!)

  • joyofcooking1931  on  October 15, 2014

    I love making bún–noodle bowls topped with grilled or broiled protein of some kind and tons of veggies and herbs. Serve it with a simple dressing of fish sauce, chiles, lime juice, and sugar.

  • louie734  on  October 16, 2014

    Noodle salads with Vietnamese flavors are the closest I've come to cooking at home.

  • marry_bellows  on  October 16, 2014

    Vege spring rolls!

  • rlmiller  on  October 16, 2014

    I have to confess I have never made a Vietnamese dish. I need this cookbook!

  • Julia  on  October 16, 2014

    This restaurant is on my "bucket" list. I would love to have the cookbook.

  • Nsteinen  on  October 16, 2014

    Shaking beef.

  • JoanN  on  October 16, 2014

    Stuffed Squid with Ginger Lime Dipping Sauce. Seriously good!

  • enation  on  October 16, 2014

    rice paper rolls with either nauc cham or a peanut dipping sauce. I haven't perfected my Pho yet.

  • Taxlady  on  October 16, 2014

    I'd like to learn to cook Vietnamese dishes. This cookbook would be a good start.

  • sgump  on  October 16, 2014

    I make a noodle soup with coconut milk, ginger, straw mushrooms, lemongrass, and fish sauce that's perhaps more Malaysian or Indonesian or something, but it was inspired by a recipe from a Vietnamese friend.

  • elysek  on  October 16, 2014

    I don't know enough about Vietnamese food to have a favorite. I need this book. I have heard wonderful things about Slanted Door!

  • lsgourmet  on  October 17, 2014

    Ban mi

  • JanScholl  on  October 18, 2014

    I have never made Vietnamese at home. I have only eaten it at restaurants.

  • patsylu  on  October 18, 2014

    Nothing is better on long hot summer afternoons than Vietnamese iced coffee.

  • carriger  on  October 18, 2014

    LOVE the Slanted Door restaurant and the cookbook. Would love to have more Slanted Door recipes!

  • nomadchowwoman  on  October 18, 2014

    My Vietnamese repertoire is very limited, but I do like making spring rolls. Have loved the meals–alas, only two–that I've had at the Slanted Door. Would love to own this book.

  • JulesCk  on  October 20, 2014

    I love to make fresh spring rolls but would love to learn to make more complicated dishes!

  • cilantrolime  on  October 20, 2014

    fresh vegetarian spring rolls!

  • tjnelson1hotmail  on  October 21, 2014

    I don't cook a lot of this kind of food, but fresh spring rolls would have to be a favorite.

  • esztlil  on  October 22, 2014

    spring rolls

  • Siegal  on  October 22, 2014

    I don't know any!

  • Teemo  on  October 22, 2014

    catfish simmered with caramel sauce

  • krobbins426  on  October 22, 2014

    We frequently pick up Vietnamese from the local Vietnamese mall. Would be great to make more of it at home!

  • chikadulce  on  October 23, 2014

    Bahn Mi!

  • matag  on  October 23, 2014

    Bang Xeo !

  • vinochic  on  October 23, 2014

    Fresh spring rolls. I used to go to Slanted Door often when I lived in San Francisco–need to learn some of their recipes! Amazing restaurant!

  • Gerbmom  on  October 23, 2014

    I have no Vietnamese cookbooks! I would love this!

  • etesla  on  October 23, 2014

    I've never made Vietnamese at home, but I'd love to learn!

  • lovelily1001  on  October 24, 2014

    eggplant with bamboo and basil

  • boardingace  on  October 28, 2014

    Well, that's easy because I've only made one recipe that is Vietnamese, and that was the Banh Mi sandwiches from Cook's Country magazine.

  • Eybhp  on  October 28, 2014

    I often made spring rolls and desserts.

  • pistachiopeas  on  October 29, 2014

    I often make bùn with shrimp!

  • minerva  on  October 29, 2014

    Bun is my favorite on a hot day.

  • jfadiman  on  October 29, 2014

    I haven't made Vietnamese, I've always been intimidated by it. Perhaps this cookbook will give me that needed confidence!

  • Sherr  on  October 29, 2014

    Shaking Beef, still working on perfecting it.

  • lmalter  on  October 29, 2014

    I am obsessed with Pho!

  • ae.bell  on  October 29, 2014

    I've never even tried, but I would love to!

  • tinaellen  on  October 29, 2014

    Grilled lemongrass shortribs with broken rice

  • lavenderashgrove  on  October 29, 2014

    Summer rolls

  • Cali01  on  October 29, 2014

    Anything Vietnamese. Would love learn the methods to show my Vietnamese Hair Dresser I know a few simple dishes .

  • SLane  on  October 29, 2014

    I love Vietnamese food !

  • Julia  on  October 29, 2014

    Eating at this restaurant is on my bucket list so I would love a copy of the cookbook.

  • CRT  on  October 29, 2014

    I ate at Slanted Door on Saturday. I want the cabbage salad recipe!

  • jctomas  on  October 29, 2014

    I love making lemongrass pork chops and bun cha!

  • ACanadianBaker  on  October 29, 2014

    Really enjoyed eating at the Slanted Door for a birthday and looking forward to trying the recipes in this book as the Vietnamese dishes that are fast, fresh, flavourful, healthy and light are favourites.

  • robinorig  on  October 29, 2014

    I love making a fish banh mi sandwhich (love any banh mi!) and also cold rolls with shrimp or sometimes veggie versions. Love pho, too.

  • AmyCohen  on  October 29, 2014

    Rice paper rolls – any kind, trying new fillings – love vietnamese food!

  • marco.825  on  October 29, 2014

    For me faves are riffs on Banh Mi and Pho. Delish and healthy!

  • Ambrosia  on  October 29, 2014

    Spring rolls

  • topdawg11  on  October 30, 2014

    I like to make pho.

  • Gorge_us  on  October 30, 2014

    I'm from Toronto but stopped in at the Slanted Door for a leisurely lunch while on a stopover en route to NZ and it was one of the most memorable meals of my life (thanks San Fran chowhounds for pointing me in the right direction). I'm a bit pho phan but would love to expand my repertoire!

  • JulesCk  on  October 30, 2014

    fresh spring rolls

  • Queezle_Sister  on  October 30, 2014

    I need a Vietnamese cookbook so I can have a favorite – but the dish I've been trying to recreate is a noodle bowl with broiled eggplant. So refreshing and delicious. And I love pho. Wish I knew how to make them.

  • itzia  on  October 30, 2014

    spring rolls.

  • bendelker  on  October 31, 2014

    Can't wait to check out this cookbook. Hope I win, but am very happy for whomever gets it if not me!

  • stockholm28  on  October 31, 2014

    chicken in caramel sauce

  • homeeccentric  on  November 4, 2014

    Spring rolls

  • Sharylmk1  on  November 4, 2014

    I haven't made it at home – yet!

  • auntietina  on  November 5, 2014

    I've made some very inauthentic spring rolls.

  • SoRefined  on  November 6, 2014

    I don't think I've ever made Vietnamese food at home. I would love to make pho.

  • ravensfan  on  November 7, 2014

    Vietnamese spring rolls

  • kristinegotham  on  November 8, 2014

    I've never made Vietnamese food but I love to try new things…from eating to cooking 🙂

  • genie28  on  November 8, 2014

    I love the food but have never made anything at home except maybe a Vietnamese inspired soup.

  • carollina  on  November 8, 2014

    I've made faux pho (not the real broth), and would love to try the caramelized dishes from the Slanted Door.

  • mamuller  on  November 8, 2014

    Rice paper rolls with shrimp and fresh cilantro..delicious!

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