Lemongrass Pork with Vietnamese Table Salad

Lemongrass Pork with Vietnamese Table Salad

Info

Rating
Calories
747.0
Protein
49.0
Sodium
2708.0
Fat
26.0

Description

Great for a summer party, this recipe doubles easily, and most of the elements can be done ahead. "This dish exemplifies the lively and engaging nature of the Vietnamese table," says Mai Pham, "the ritual of wrapping meats in crisp lettuce with fresh herbs, then dipping them into a zesty sauce." Provide each person with a little bowl of sauce, as well as the usual plate to make assembly easier.

Ingredients

3/4 cup hot water
5 tablespoons fish sauce*
3 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 Thai bird chiles with seeds or 1/2 jalapeño chile with seeds, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
6 green onions (white and pale green parts only), chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons chopped lemongrass*
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon golden brown sugar
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds boneless pork loin chops (each 1/3 to 1/2 ich thick)
1 small English hothouse cucumber, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
1 baby pineapple, peeled, halved, thinly sliced or 1/2 small pineapple, peeled, cut into 2 wedges, cored, thinly sliced
2 cups bean sprouts
1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup fresh mint leaves
20 fresh green shiso leaves
1/2 cup finely shredded carrot
1 8- to 9-ounce package dried rice vermicelli noodles
3 heads of butter lettuce, cored, leaves separated

Directions

  1. Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
  2. Mix first 6 ingredients and 2 tablespoons oil in 11x7-inch glass dish. Add pork chops to marinade, turn several times to coat evenly, then crowd together in single layer. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  3. Arrange cucumber, pineapple, bean sprouts, all herbs, and carrot around edge of large platter. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
  4. Cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender and turning white, separating often with tongs, about 4 minutes. Drain. Arrange in center of platter. Mound lettuce leaves in large shallow bowl.
  5. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush grill rack with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Grill pork with marinade still clinging to meat until slightly charred and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Transfer pork to cutting board. Let rest 10 minutes.
  6. Cut pork crosswise into 1/3-inch-wide strips. Place pork and any juices from board atop noodles. To serve, fill lettuce leaves with pork, noodles, herbs, and vegetables. Serve with sauce for dipping.