Grilled Pork Rice – A Savory Symphony on Your Plate

Introduction:

Savor the delightful harmony of flavors with our recipe for “Cơm Heo Nướng” – Rice With Grilled Pork. This Vietnamese-inspired dish combines succulent grilled pork with fragrant rice, creating a culinary masterpiece that’s simple to prepare yet rich in taste. Join us in the kitchen as we explore the steps to craft this delectable dish.

Ingredients:

For the Grilled Pork:

• 500g pork shoulder or pork belly, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemongrass, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Rice:

• 2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For Garnish:

• Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, basil)
• Sliced cucumbers
• Pickled carrots and daikon
• Crushed peanuts

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Pork:

• In a bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, minced garlic, chopped lemongrass, vegetable oil, and black pepper.
• Add thinly sliced pork to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Grill the Pork:

• Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Grill the marinated pork slices until cooked through and slightly caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.

3. Cook the Rice:

• In a rice cooker, combine rinsed jasmine rice, water, salt, and vegetable oil.
• Cook the rice according to the rice cooker instructions.

4. Assemble the Dish:

• Arrange a generous portion of cooked rice on each serving plate.
• Top the rice with the grilled pork slices.
• Garnish with fresh herbs, sliced cucumbers, pickled carrots and daikon, and crushed peanuts.

5. Serve:

• Serve the “Cơm Heo Nướng” immediately, allowing everyone to customize their plate with the garnishes.

Tips:

• Experiment with different dipping sauces or drizzle a bit of lime juice over the grilled pork for added freshness.
• Include a side of nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce) for an extra layer of flavor.

Conclusion: “Cơm Heo Nướng” is a celebration of Vietnamese flavors that’s sure to please your taste buds. Whether enjoyed on a casual weeknight or shared with friends at a gathering, this dish captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine – simple, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. Enjoy the culinary journey!