Ingredients
– Fresh rice vermicelli: 1 kg
– Pork belly: 700 grams
– Minced pork: 500 grams
– Carrot: 1
– Green papaya: 1/2
– Fresh herbs: 500 grams (including lettuce, perilla, basil, mint, fish mint)
– Chopped shallots: 1 tablespoon
– Chopped garlic: 1.5 tablespoons
– Chopped chili: a little, adjust to your preference
– Dark soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
– Honey: 3 tablespoons
– Caramel sauce: 2 tablespoons
– Fish sauce: 1 cup (about 220 ml)
– Vinegar: 1/2 cup (about 100 ml)
– Cooking oil: a little
– Common seasonings: a little (including salt, sugar, ground pepper, seasoning powder, MSG)
Tips for Choosing the Best Green Papaya
When selecting papaya, opt for larger fruits that are still green and feel firm to the touch. The best papayas will also have a sticky residue on the stem, indicating they have fewer seeds and more flesh. Freshly harvested “duck-billed” papayas are preferable, as the flesh will be crisp and not mushy. Avoid buying papayas on rainy days, as the weather can affect their sweet flavor.
Instructions for Making Hanoi Grilled Pork and Vermicelli
Meat Preparation and Marinade
To clean and remove any unpleasant odor from the pork belly, rub it with salt, then rinse with cold water and pat dry. Next, slice the meat into thin, bite-sized pieces.
For the marinade, combine 1/2 tablespoon of chopped shallots, 1/2 tablespoon of chopped garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 tablespoon of MSG, 1/2 tablespoon of ground pepper, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce. Mix well and let the meat absorb the flavors for about 30 minutes.
For the minced pork, in a separate bowl, mix 1/2 tablespoon of chopped shallots, 1/2 tablespoon of chopped garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning powder, 1/2 tablespoon of MSG, 1/2 tablespoon of ground pepper, 1.5 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce. Use your hands to combine the ingredients and let the meat marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
After 30 minutes, take portions of the minced pork and shape them into small balls.
Preparing the Other Ingredients
To ensure thorough cleaning, peel and soak the carrots and papaya in a diluted salt solution for 5-10 minutes after purchasing. Then, rinse them with clean water and let them air dry.
Next, create carrot flowers and cut both the carrots and papaya into thin slices. Place them in a bowl, add 1/3 tablespoon of salt, mix well, and let them marinate for about 15 minutes before rinsing again with water.
After that, add 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of chopped garlic to the mixture. Mix well and continue to marinate for another 15 minutes.
Grilling the Meat
First, use a brush to apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the electric grill. Then, place the pork belly slices and meatballs on the grill. Cook until the meat is evenly cooked and has an appealing golden color on both sides, then transfer to a bowl.
Note: If possible, use a charcoal grill, as it imparts a distinctive smoky flavor to the meat, enhancing its authenticity.
Preparing the Dipping Sauce
In a pot, combine 200ml of fish sauce, 200g of sugar, 100ml of vinegar, and 400ml of water. Cook over high heat until the sugar is dissolved and the fish sauce starts to boil. Remember to adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Final Product
Arrange the grilled meat, vermicelli, and fresh herbs on a plate. To add some extra flavor, you can mix a little bit of the marinated carrot, papaya, and chopped chili in a bowl, then pour in the prepared dipping sauce and mix well.
With just a few simple steps, you’ve created a delicious and authentic Hanoi Grilled Pork and Vermicelli dish. When serving, place some of the grilled meat, vermicelli, and herbs in a bowl, and pour the flavorful dipping sauce on top. The combination of savory, sweet, and sour flavors will surely delight your taste buds. Get cooking and give this amazing dish a try!
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