Vietnamese Pork Bun

Sometimes it's just too hot to really want to eat. You know what I'm talking about. Simple cool rice noodle salads are a refreshing meal when the nights are hot and sticky and days are unbearable. 

In my head it just makes sense to start looking at cultures whose cuisines have been built in the sweltering heat and humidity when I feel like I'm in an urban jungle. Vietnam fits that bill. Jungle hot meets savoury and delicious...

This is recipe but it's also a guideline. Marinate some pork, or maybe chicken. Chop up some raw vegetables. Like it spicy - add some thinly sliced fresh chiles. Grill a bit of meat. Toss it all on top of rice noodle and drown the whole thing in that wonderful hot, sweet, salty and sour nuoc cham dipping sauce. Some fresh herbs - cilantro, basil or mint and maybe some thinly sliced chilies and dinner is served. 

Fish sauce is an ingredient that might put you off. Don't be. It's a weird, funky smelling ingredient but once it's in the dish it just works. I don't know why but it does. 

Recipe

Serves 2

Marinade

1/4 cup white granulated sugar 
2 Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp soy
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp sambal oelek (srirachi would work as well)
black pepper to taste

12 ounces pork loin (good) or shoulder (better), sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 package of rice vermicelli
shaved carrot
sliced cucumber
green onion in 2 inch pieces
cilantro - chopped coarsely
mint leaves - chopped coarsely

Nuoc cham to serve


Combine all marinade ingredients with the pork and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. 

Pour boiling water over the rice noodles to soften (follow the instructions on the package) and chill the noodles. Running cold water over the noodles works nicely.

Pre-heat your grill to medium hot. Dip a paper towel into some vegetable oil and rub the grill with it to help prevent sticking. and grill the pork until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Let the pork char a little bit. As always - this is better cooked over charcoal.

To serve, divide rice noodles into two bowls and top with chopped vegetables, cilantro and mint and pork. Pour 1/2 the nuoc cham over each bowl (or serve on the side and let people season to taste).

Nuoc Cham

1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp sugar (3 if you like it a bit sweet)
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp sambal oelek (srirachi would work here as well)

Comine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and heat to a simmer. Cool and serve.