Vietnamese Pork Meatballs With Rice Noodle Salad Bun Cha Recipes

BUN CHA - VIETNAMESE MEATBALLS WITH VIETNAMESE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the minced pork, fish sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, honey, spring onions, coriander (cilantro) and garlic.
• Set the mixture aside for 30-60 minutes in the fridge to let the flavours develop and to allow the mixture to firm.
• Form the pork mixture into small meatballs about the size of a golf ball, and then flatten them slightly.
• Heat a large frying pan with some vegetable oil and cook the meatballs until they are golden and caramelised.
• In a medium bowl, dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice.
• Add the fish sauce, water, garlic and chilli (if using), and mix until well-combined.
• Set the sauce aside for about 10-15 minutes before tasting.
• You may need to add a bit more lemon juice, fish sauce, or even water, to get a good balance of sweet, sour and salty.
• Place some salad and vegetables on the bottom of each bowl or plate.
• Place a good handful of noodles on top of the salad.
• Top with however many meatballs you like.
• Garnish with some herbs, roughly torn.
• Generously drizzle some Vietnamese dipping sauce over the noodles and meatballs, and use chopsticks to mix everything together.
• Provide each person with a bowl of dipping sauce to drizzle over the noodles and also to dip the meatballs into.

BUN CHA (VIETNAMESE PORK MEATBALL AND NOODLE SALAD)

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.

VIETNAMESE PORK MEATBALLS WITH RICE NOODLE SALAD (BUN CHA)

Steps:

• Prepare the rice noodles according to pack instructions. Rinse with cold water, drain thoroughly and set aside.
• Finely grate the cucumber and use your hands to squeeze its juice into a small bowl. Add the grated cucumber and all remaining dipping sauce ingredients and stir together. Set aside.
• Put the sugar and fish sauce in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
• Put the shallot, garlic, chopped mint and pork in a bowl. Add the sugar/fish sauce and use your hands to thoroughly mix everything together. Cover with cling film and chill for at least an hour.
• Shape the mince into small meatballs (around 20) and cook under a hot grill (broiler) for 3-4 minutes on each side. Alternatively pan fry with a little vegetable oil until golden.
• Divide the cold noodles, lettuce, cucumber, spring onions and herbs between four bowls.
• Divide the meatballs between the bowls and add a tablespoon of Baxters Red Slaw on each salad. Spoon some of the dipping sauce over each bowl (or serve on the side), sprinkle with the chopped chives and serve.