Grilled Lemongrass Pork over Rice Vermicelli with Nuoc Cham

What you need

• 600 g (1 1/4 lb) pork shoulder, sliced about 5 mm thick
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, 4 for the marinade, 2 for the dipping sauce
• 2 stalks lemongrass, white parts only, finely minced
• 5 tbsp sugar, 3 for the marinade, 2 for the dipping sauce
• 5 tbsp fish sauce, 2 for the marinade, 3 for the dipping sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) water, warm, for the dipping sauce
• 1 red chili, finely chopped
• 200 g (7 oz) rice vermicelli
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
• 100 g (3 1/2 oz) bean sprouts
• 8 leaves lettuce, torn
• 1 handful mint, leaves picked
• 40 g (1 1/2 oz) roasted peanuts, lightly crushed

Method

Restated from the original video

1. 1

   Mix the shallots, 4 of the garlic cloves, minced, lemongrass, 3 tbsp of the sugar, 2 tbsp of the fish sauce, the oil and the pepper in a large bowl.

2. 2

   Add the pork and turn until every slice is coated. Cover and chill for 30 min, or overnight for deeper flavor.

3. 3

   For the dipping sauce, stir the remaining 2 tbsp sugar and 3 tbsp fish sauce with the lime juice and warm water until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining 2 garlic cloves, minced and the chili.

4. 4

   Cook the vermicelli in boiling water as the package directs, usually 3-5 min. Rinse under cold water and drain well.

5. 5

   Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, or prepare a charcoal grill.

6. 6

   Cook the pork in 2-3 batches, 2-3 min per side, until charred at the edges and cooked through, with no pink inside.

7. 7

   Put the lettuce and bean sprouts in the bottom of each bowl, then add the vermicelli, cucumber, carrots and pork.

8. 8

   Top with the mint and peanuts. Serve with the dipping sauce, about 3-4 tbsp spooned over each bowl.

Imported from panningtheglobe.com. Recipe Grab pulled out what you need to cook it; the video stays where its author put it.