Spicy Minced Pork Salad With Chili Flakes

Ingredients

• For the Salad:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground pork
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
  • 2-3 green onions, sliced
  • 2-3 tablespoons roasted rice powder (optional for added texture)

• For the Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 bird’s eye chilies, thinly sliced (optional for extra heat)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pork:

   • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it’s fully cooked and slightly browned, about 7-10 minutes.
   • Drain any excess fat from the pan and set the pork aside to cool slightly.

2. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, chili flakes, minced garlic, and sliced bird’s eye chilies (if using). Adjust the seasoning to taste; the dressing should be a balance of salty, sour, spicy, and slightly sweet.

3. Assemble the Salad:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pork, sliced red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mint leaves, cilantro leaves, Thai basil leaves, and green onions.
   • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
   • If using, sprinkle the roasted rice powder over the salad for added texture and flavor.

4. Serve:

   • Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual plates.
   • Serve immediately, garnished with extra herbs or lime wedges if desired.

Tips

• Roasted Rice Powder: To make roasted rice powder, toast uncooked rice in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, then grind to a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
• Herbs: Feel free to adjust the amount of herbs based on your preference. They add freshness and aroma to the salad.
• Spiciness: Adjust the amount of chili flakes and bird’s eye chilies based on your heat tolerance. This dish is meant to be spicy, but you can dial it down if needed.

This spicy minced pork salad is a perfect combination of heat, freshness, and vibrant flavors, making it an excellent dish for any occasion. Enjoy!