Spicy Pork Salad
This vibrant and flavorful dish features a zesty pork salad served in crispy lettuce cups. A mixture of minced pork, garlic, and chili paste is combined with a tangy lime dressing and fresh herbs, creating a refreshing and satisfying meal. The contrast of textures and flavors, from the crunchy cucumber to the tender pork, makes every bite a delight. Perfect for a light lunch or appetizer, this dish is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy elements.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 3 vegetable oil, divided
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 4 hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek), divided
- 1 ground pork
- 2 finely grated lime zest
- 1/2 fresh lime juice (3-4 limes)
- 2 fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
- 1 (packed) light brown sugar
- 1 small red onion, half finely chopped, half sliced
- 2 (packed) fresh mint leaves, 1 cup chopped
- 1 head of butter lettuce, leaves separated
- 1 English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and 2 teaspoons chili paste. Cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is softened, about 1 minute. Add pork and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until pork is cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Transfer pork mixture to a plate and let cool.
- Meanwhile, whisk lime zest, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining 2 teaspoons chili paste in a small bowl to combine.
- Combine chopped onion, chopped mint, and half of dressing in a medium bowl. Add pork mixture and toss to combine. Toss lettuce, cucumber, sliced onion, whole mint leaves, and remaining dressing in a large bowl. Arrange salad and pork on a platter.
- DO AHEAD: Pork mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Serve cold or room temperature.
Yield
6 servings
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