Mu Nam Tok - Spicy Thai Grilled Pork Salad

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork loin, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork loin, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar) 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon roasted rice powder 1 tablespoon roasted rice powder
• 1 tablespoon chili flakes 1 tablespoon chili flakes
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 spring onions, chopped 2 spring onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• Lettuce leaves, for serving Lettuce leaves, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 4g
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, roasted rice powder, and chili flakes. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. 3.
   Brush the pork slices with vegetable oil and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
4. 4.
   Remove the pork from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, thinly slice the grilled pork.
5. 5.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced pork, shallots, spring onions, cilantro, and mint leaves.
6. 6.
   Pour the dressing over the pork mixture and toss gently to coat.
7. 7.
   Serve the Mu Nam Tok salad on a bed of lettuce leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork loin — Make sure to slice the pork loin thinly to ensure even cooking on the grill.
• Roasted rice powder — To make roasted rice powder, simply toast uncooked rice in a dry pan until golden brown, then grind it into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add fresh Thai bird's eye chilies to the dressing.
• If you can't find palm sugar, you can substitute it with brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• To enhance the smoky flavor, you can grill the pork over charcoal instead of using a gas grill.
• Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your spice tolerance.
• Serve the Mu Nam Tok salad with sticky rice for a complete Thai meal experience.

Serving advice

Serve the Mu Nam Tok salad as a main course or as part of a Thai feast. It pairs well with steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled pork slices on a bed of lettuce leaves and drizzle the dressing over the top. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and mint leaves for a vibrant and appetizing presentation.