Recipe: Steamed Cockles or Periwinkles (Oc Luoc)

the appetizer:

Explore authentic Vietnamese family cuisine in Secrets of the Red Lantern: Stories and Vietnamese Recipes from the Heart by Pauline Nguyen, with recipes by Luke Nguyen and Mark Jensen, including Steamed Cockles or Periwinkles (Oc Luoc); Bitter Melon Stuffed with Pork and Black Fungus (Canh Hu Qua); and Wok-tossed Water Spinach with Fermented Bean Curd Sauce (Rau Muong Xao Chao).

Cookbook

Steamed Cockles or Periwinkles
(Oc Luoc)

2-1/4 pounds cockles or periwinkles
Garlic mayonnaise, for serving

Pour 1 cup of water into a wok, add the cockles or periwinkles and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil over high heat and steam for about 10 minutes. Don't allow the wok to boil dry-add extra water if needed. Strain off the excess water and place the cockles in a serving bowl. To eat, remove the flesh from the shell and dip it into garlic mayonnaise, or a mixture of dipping fish sauce (page 33 of the book) and finely sliced ginger.

Garlic Mayonnaise
(Sot Ma-Do-Ne Toi)

Makes 1 cup

This is a component of Banh Mi Thit (page 158 of the book).

3 cloves garlic
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fine white pepper
3/4 cup vegetable oil, mixed with 1/4 cup light olive oil

This quantity of mayonnaise is best made in a bowl using a whisk. Make sure the bowl is secure on the counter. (A good tip is to roll a damp cloth into a circle on the counter and then place the bowl in the middle.)

Bash the garlic into a paste in a mortar. Combine the egg yolks, lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt, and white pepper in a bowl and whisk well. Continue to whisk slowly, adding only a few drops of oil to the egg yolks at a time. Once you have added about 1-3/4 ounces of the oil, you can continue to add the oil in one slow, steady stream.

Place in a container, cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.