Vietnamese Style Pork Chops With Fresh Herb Salad Food

VIETNAMESE PORK CHOPS (SườN NướNG)

Steps:

• Rinse pork chops under running water and lightly scrub with salt. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine all marinade ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine and dissolve sugar and MSG. Then add the Marinade Aromatics.
• Marinade the pork chops in a bowl or bag in the fridge for at least 3 hours, but ideally overnight.
• Remove the chops from the marinade and discard the extra liquid--you can keep the aromatics on that stuck to the chops though.

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.

LEMONGRASS PORK WITH VIETNAMESE TABLE SALAD

Steps:

• For dipping sauce:
• Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For pork:
• 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.
• For salad and noodles:
• Arrange cucumber, pineapple, bean sprouts, all herbs, and carrot around edge of large platter. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.