Recipe: Vietnamese Caramelized Broiled pork

There is an amazing Vietnamese place just a few blocks away from B and I. We tend to go there more often than I'd like to admit because it's cheap, (semi-) healthy, and 2 blocks away. However, it's always cheaper and healthier to make food at home, so I've been meaning to try this for a while.

This recipe was adapted from Epicurious. Instead of grilling, we broiled the meat. I think either method would be great.


Ingredients:


Meat: 

6 (1/4-inch-thick) boneless pork loin chops
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped shallots (about 2)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt

Dressing:

1/4 cup fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
3/4 cup warm water
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp dried chili flakes
2 tbsp lime juice

Veggies:

Carrot, shredded
Bean sprouts
Cucumber, shredded
Head lettuce, chopped
Green onion, chopped

Other:

Crushed peanuts
Vermicelli noodles

Preparation:

1) Prepare veggies, set aside.

2) Prepare dressing, set aside.

3) Pound chops with flat side of a meat pounder until less than 1/8 inch thick. Make several small 1/4-inch-deep slits around edge of each chop to prevent curling, then halve chops lengthwise and transfer to a bowl.

4) Cook sugar in a dry saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until sugar is melted into a golden caramel. Add shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, and salt (caramel will harden) and cook, stirring constantly, until caramel is dissolved and shallots are softened, about 2 minutes. Note: Do NOT overcook - sugar will turn to 'candy' quickly! 

5) Pour sauce over pork and toss until well coated.

6) Place pork on broiler pan. Pour remaining sauce over pork and place under broiler. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until dark brown and edges are crispy.

7) While pork is cooking. Boil water for vermicelli noodles - do not add noodles yet!

7) Remove pork from oven and slice into strips.

8) Place vermicelli noodles in boiling water, stir with fork to loosen, drain.

9) Arrange veggies, noodles and pork on plate. Sprinkle with peanuts, drizzle with dressing, and serve!

 Results: I was nervous at how it would turn out, but I have to say it was pretty good for a first attempt! The recipe was great, I just need to perfect the method. When melting sugar, there's a fine line between syrup and rock hard candy!  B really liked it, but pointed out the spring rolls were missing. ;) I was really impressed and thought it was almost, if not AS good as the dish we get at the restaurant. Although it's a bit of work, I loved this recipe and I think it will become one of my staples.

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