Bun Cha Grilled Vietnamese Pork Skewered Recipes

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the spring onions, garlic chives, shallots, garlic, black pepper, fish sauce and soy sauce.
• In separate bowl, combine half the marinade, minced pork, and egg and mix well.
• Add the sliced pork belly to the remaining marinade. Cover and marinate both meats in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or overnight for a better result.
• Form the pork mixture into small round balls with oiled hands, then slightly press down on each ball to form patties, about 2 inches/5 cm in diameter and 1/2-inch/ 1 cm thick.
• Heat a charcoal grill or barbecue to medium-high and grill the patties for 4 minutes on each side. Grill the pork belly for 2 minutes on each side or until brown.
• Place the noodles, herbs and patties on three separate platters.
• Transfer to 4 to 6 dipping bowls.
• For the dipping sauce: Add fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and water to a saucepan. Mix, then bring to the boil. Transfer to a dipping bowl and add chile, garlic and lime juice.

Steps:

• Combine pork belly, 1 red chile pepper, lemongrass, 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon MSG, 1 teaspoon white sugar, and five-spice powder in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until marinated, 1 to 3 hours.
• Mix 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 red chile pepper, lime juice, 5 cloves garlic, and 1 teaspoon MSG together in a bowl. Let sit until dipping sauce flavors meld, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Pour in water.
• Thread the marinated pork belly onto bamboo skewers.
• Preheat grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate. Cook pork skewers, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with the dipping sauce.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 3 tablespoons water and cook over high heat until a dark brown caramel forms, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons cold water, swirling the pot.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork, shallot, fish sauce, caramel sauce, and pepper, and marinate in the refrigerator for 90 minutes to six hours.
• Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the sauce in a large mixing bowl.
• When the pork is through marinating, remove from the refrigerator and shape into small patties, about 15 to 20 in all. Heat a charcoal grill or a broiler to high. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the directions on their package. Drain, then rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process.
• Meanwhile, grill or broil the pork patties until fully cooked and slightly charred, about 4 minutes per side.
• Spoon the sauce into four bowls, then place the pork patties over the sauce. Place the herbs and lettuce in one large communal bowl and the noodles into another large communal bowl. To eat, dip some of the noodles into the sauce and eat with the patties and herbs.

Steps:

• To make the caramel - combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir a few times and allow to simmer until the sauce turns deep brown, about 15 minute Meanwhile, have some extra hot water ready on a back burner.
• Once the sauce reaches the desired color, carefully add 4 to 5 Tbs. hot water to slow the cooking and thin the sauce. (Be sure to hold the pan away from you so that none of the hot caramel splatters on you when you add the water.) If necessary, add more hot water. The sauce should only be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Set aside to cool.
• To make the pork - pound the shallots in a mortar and pestle or mince by hand.
• Transfer the shallots to a mixing bowl and combine with the fish sauce, soy sauce, salt, vegetable oil, and cooled caramel sauce. Stir well to blend.
• Add the pork slices and let marinate for 20 minute.
• Meanwhile, heat a broiler or light a charcoal or gas grill. When the broiler or fire is very hot, cook the pork until just done, about 2 minute on each side.
• Let the pork rest for 10 to 15 min., cut into thin strips, and serve with noodles.