Lemongrass Pork Loin Recipes

GRILLED PORK LOIN WITH LEMONGRASS

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse garlic to chop, then add lemongrass and pulse until finely chopped. Add shallot and pulse to create a fine paste. Pulse in oil, soy and fish sauces, and brown sugar until smooth.
• Butterfly pork loin: Place pork on a cutting board vertically (with short sides at top and bottom). Using a large, sharp knife, and starting at top, cut lengthwise down the center, almost all the way through but leaving a hinge of about 1/2 inch. Unfold, as if opening a book.
• With knife blade parallel to cutting board, slice through left side of loin, opening meat as you go, and again leaving a hinge. Repeat with right side. If needed, pound loin to an even thickness with a meat mallet. Season with salt, then rub half of lemongrass paste all over meat. Re-form into original shape, tie with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature 1 hour before grilling.
• Prepare grill for direct- and indirect-heat cooking. Remove pork from plastic; place over indirect heat, cover, and cook, maintaining a temperature of about 400°F, about 20 minutes. Brush with remaining lemongrass paste and continue cooking, covered, until a thermometer inserted into thickest part of pork registers 135°F, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer to direct heat and cook, uncovered, turning frequently, until charred in places and thermometer registers 138 ̊F, about 5 minutes more. Let pork stand about 10 minutes, then thinly slice and serve with pickles, chili sauce, lettuce, and herbs.

GRILLED LEMONGRASS PORK TENDERLOIN SKEWERS: SUON NUONG XA

Steps:

• Stir together the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and oil until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the lemongrass, shallot, garlic and pork and mix to coat the meat evenly. Allow to marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes or refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Slide 2 to 4 slices of pork onto each skewer so the meat is flat with the skewer going through the slices several times. Grill over a barbecue (make sure that the flames have subsided and the coals are red with white ashes). Alternatively, heat a well-oiled grill pan or non-stick skillet over high heat and, working in batches, cook the skewers until the edges crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove the skewers from the grilled pork.
• Divide the grilled pork among the bowls of rice vermicelli. Sprinkle peanuts and drizzle nuoc cham over each serving. Serve immediately.
• Whisk together the sugar, water, fish sauce, and lime juice in a bowl until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the garlic, chile, and shallot, and let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH SWEET LEMONGRASS MARINADE

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl, combine the sugar, fish sauce, lemongrass, garlic, shallot, chile, and black pepper and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Arrange the pork chops in a rimmed dish in a single layer. Pour the marinade over, cover with plastic wrap, and let marinate at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. (The pork can also be refrigerated overnight. Bring meat to room temperature before grilling).
• 2. Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill (you should be able to hold your hand 1 to 2 inches above the grate for only 2 to 3 seconds). When the coals are ready, push two-thirds of the coals to one-half of the grill, creating a hot zone; spread the remaining one-third on the opposite side of the grill to create a cooler zone.
• 3. Remove the pork chops from the marinade and discard the marinade. Place the chops on the hottest part of the grill. Let cook for 1 minute, then flip and cook for 1 minute on the second side.
• 4. Move the chops to the cooler side of the grill and cook, turning once, for about 10 minutes total, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop registers 140°F, raking over coals from the hotter side of the grill if necessary to maintain an even temperature. Spritz any flare-ups with a spray bottle filled with water.
• 5. Transfer the chops to a large plate, tent with aluminum foil, and let stand for 10 minutes. Cut the meat from the bone and slice the meat across the grain on the diagonal. Transfer the slices and bones to a serving platter and serve.

LEMONGRASS PORK PATTIES WITH VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For the patties:
• In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together all of the ingredients, then form the mixture into twelve 2-inch patties (about 3/4 inch thick). Arrange the patties on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until firm.
• Preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes and set it up to grill over moderately high heat. Oil the grates. Grill the patties until brown grill marks form on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the patties, then grill for 3 to 4 minutes longer, until cooked through but still juicy.
• For the sauce and assembly:
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk the vinegar with the sugar and water. Add the fish sauce, then taste and season with more vinegar or sugar, depending on your taste.
• Arrange the lettuce leaves and herb sprigs on a platter. To serve, wrap the pork patties and herb sprigs in lettuce and dip in the sauc

VIETNAMESE LEMONGRASS PORK

Steps:

• Cut the pork into pieces, you can leave it in steak sizes piece, or cut it into thin strips, depending on how much you want the marinade to cover.
• Add sugar, minced garlic, minced shallot, chopped onion, and minced lemongrass to mini chop and blend into a fine texture.
• Add the pepper, soy sauce, fish sauce, and oil and continue to blend.
• Cover the pork with the marinade. I suggest letting it marinate for at least a few hours so it can really soak in the flavors.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes, turning frequently, until cooked through. You want a good char on this, like they do at the Vietnamese restaurants.
• Remove, allow to sit for a few minutes, and then enjoy!