Grilled Pork And Noodle Salad With Basil Cilantro And Mint Food

GRILLED PORK NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, combine jalapeno, lime juice, fish sauce and brown sugar. Add pork; turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 3 hours or overnight., Drain pork, discarding marinade. On a lightly oiled grill rack, grill pork, covered, over medium heat 1-2 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 145°., Cook rice noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain well. In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients. Divide rice noodles among 6 serving bowls. Arrange vegetables, pork and herbs over noodles; drizzle with dressing and toss to combine.

VIETNAMESE GRILLED PORK PATTIES WITH RICE NOODLES & SALAD

Steps:

• FOR THE NOODLES AND SALAD: Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Stir in noodles and cook until tender but not mushy, 4 to 12 minutes. Drain noodles and rinse under cold running water until cool. Drain noodles very well, spread on large plate, and let stand at room temperature to dry. Arrange lettuce, cucumber, cilantro, and mint (and/or basil) separately on large platter and refrigerate until needed.
• FOR THE SAUCE: Using mortar and pestle (or on cutting board using flat side of chef's knife), mash Thai chile, 1 tablespoon sugar, and garlic to fine paste. Transfer to medium bowl and add hot water and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice. Set aside.
• FOR THE PORK PATTIES: Combine shallot, fish sauce, sugar, baking soda, and pepper in medium bowl. Add pork and mix until well combined. Shape pork mixture into 12 patties, each about 2 1/2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
• FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over half of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.
• FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high.
• Clean and oil cooking grate. Cook patties (directly over coals if using charcoal; covered if using gas) until well charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer grilled patties to bowl with sauce and gently toss to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Transfer patties to serving plate, reserving sauce. Serve noodles, salad, sauce, and pork patties separately.

VIETNAMESE-STYLE PORK CHOPS WITH FRESH HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Blend shallot, garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, oil, and pepper in a blender. Transfer marinade to a large resealable plastic bag. Add pork chop and turn to coat. Seal bag, pressing out air; chill at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. (Alternatively, heat a grill pan over medium-high.) Remove pork chops from marinade, letting excess drip back into bag; season both sides with salt. Grill pork chops, turning once, until lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, toss plums, scallions, chile, herbs, bean sprouts, and vinegar in a large bowl. Season with salt; toss again.
• Serve pork with salad and lime wedges.

VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD WITH GRILLED PORK

Steps:

• Cook the noodles: Bring a medium potful of water to a rolling boil. Add the rice vermicelli and, stirring often, cook them until the strands are soft and white, but still resilient, 3 to 5 minutes. Don't be tempted to undercook them, as they must be fully cooked to absorb the flavors of the dish. Rinse them in a colander under cold water just until they're cool and the water runs clear. Let the noodles drain in the colander for 30 minutes, and then set them aside for up to 2 hours, unrefrigerated.
• Marinate and cook the pork: Combine the sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir a few times and allow to simmer until the sauce turns deep brown, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, have some extra hot water ready on a back burner. Once the sauce reaches the desired color, carefully add 4 to 5 Tbs. hot water to slow the cooking and thin the sauce. (Be sure to hold the pan away from you so that none of the hot caramel splatters on you when you add the water.) If necessary, add more hot water. The sauce should only be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool.
• Pound the shallots in a mortar and pestle or mince by hand. Transfer the shallots to a mixing bowl and combine with the fish sauce, soy sauce, salt, vegetable oil, and cooled caramel marinade. Stir well to blend. Add the pork slices and let marinate for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a broiler or light a charcoal or gas grill. When the broiler or fire is very hot, cook the pork until just done, about 2 minutes on each side. Let the pork rest for 10 to 15 minutes, and cut into thin strips.
• Assemble the salads: Divide the lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, mint, and basil among four large soup or pasta bowls. Fluff the noodles with your fingers and divide them among the prepared salad bowls. Put the grilled pork on the noodles and garnish each bowl with the peanuts and cilantro. Pass the nuoc cham at the table; each diner should drizzle about 3 tablespoons over the salad and then toss the salad in the bowl a few times with two forks or chopsticks before eating.
• Nuoc Cham: In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and fresh chiles to a paste. (Or mince them together with a knife.) In a small bowl, combine this garlic and chile mixture with the chile paste, hot water and sugar. Stir well. Add the fish sauce and lime juice (start off with 1 1/2 tablespoons) and combine. Float the carrots on top. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before using.