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Week of 9/28/20

Vietnamese Pork Chop
with spicy pickled cucumbers / asparagus

Active: 30 min Total: 55 min
Original GF Paleo Vegetarian
Vietnamese Pork Chop
Vietnamese flavors are folded into all the layers of this meal, including the marinade and spicy pickled cucumbers served on top.
Smarts: The pickled cucumbers in this meal are a salsa-meets-sauce topping. Be sure to dice the cucumbers small so you get some in every bite. You can make it ahead of time (including adding the cashews which will also get “pickled”) or make it right before serving for a more crunchy, fresh texture.
Tags
Grill Friendly
Proteins
Pork, non-ground
Cuisines
Asian - Vietnamese
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81

Ingredients

Metric
Servings:
4
Vietnamese Pork Chop and Asparagus:
  • Asparagus - 1 bunch , trimmed
  • Lemongrass - 2 stalks , finely chopped
  • Garlic - 3 cloves , chopped
  • Bragg's / coconut aminos - 3 Tbsp
  • Oil, cooking - 3 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp
  • Honey - 1 Tbsp
  • Fish sauce - 1 Tbsp
  • Pork chops, boneless or bone-in - 4
Spicy Pickled Cucumbers and Cashews:
  • Cashews - 1/3 cup , chopped
  • Ginger, fresh - 1 tsp , grated
  • Cucumbers - 8 oz , finely chopped (preferably English or other seedless cucumbers)
  • Mint - 1 Tbsp , chopped
  • Fish sauce - 2 tsp
  • Vinegar, rice - 2 tsp
  • Hot sauce, any type - 1 1/2 tsp , more to taste

Choose Cooking Method

Prep

  1. Cashews / Asparagus / Lemongrass / Garlic - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
  2. Marinate pork - (If prepping right before cooking, get grill heating while pork is marinating.) Combine lemongrass, garlic, aminos, first portion of cooking oil, honey, and fish sauce (portion for pork) with pork chops. Turn to coat and tenderize with a fork. Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 days. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
  3. Ginger / Cucumbers / Mint - Prep as directed and combine.
  4. Make pickled cucumbers - Combine ginger, cucumbers, mint, fish sauce (portion for cucumbers), vinegar, and hot sauce. Stir in cashews (if you want them to have more crunch, you can wait to add them until right before serving). (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)

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Make

  1. Heat up grill to 450F / 232C, keeping one part over direct heat and one part over indirect heat. Clean grates and brush with second portion of cooking oil.
  2. Remove pork chops from marinade (discard marinade) and season on both sides with some salt and pepper.
  3. Add pork chops and asparagus spears to heated grill. Cook, turning to sear on all sides, until both pork and asparagus are golden brown. Transfer to indirect heat and continue cooking with the lid closed until pork reaches 145F / 63C degrees and asparagus spears are tender. (If using thin asparagus spears, they may be tender after cooking over direct heat, but thicker spears may take a few extra minutes.)
  4. Transfer pork chops to a cutting board and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. (You can slice the pork chops or leave them whole for serving.)
  5. Serve pork chops with asparagus on the side and pickled cucumbers on top. Enjoy!

Prep

  1. Cashews / Asparagus / Lemongrass / Garlic - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
  2. Marinate pork - (If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating while pork is marinating.) Combine lemongrass, garlic, aminos, first portion of cooking oil, honey, and fish sauce (portion for pork) with pork chops. Turn to coat and tenderize with a fork. Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 days. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
  3. Ginger / Cucumbers / Mint - Prep as directed and combine.
  4. Make pickled cucumbers - Combine ginger, cucumbers, mint, fish sauce (portion for cucumbers), vinegar, and hot sauce. Stir in cashews (if you want them to have more crunch, you can wait to add them until right before serving). (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)

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Make

  1. Heat oven to 425F / 218C.
  2. Spread asparagus out on a sheet pan. Toss with some cooking oil and season with some salt and pepper. Roast asparagus until tender, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness.
  3. Remove pork chops from marinade (discard marinade) and season on both sides with some salt and pepper.
  4. Heat a large skillet or grill pan with second portion of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add pork chops to heated oil and sear on both sides. Reduce heat to low-medium and continue cooking until pork reaches 145F / 63C, 2 to 3 minutes for thin pork chops or 5 to 6 minutes for thicker cuts.
  5. Transfer pork chops to a cutting board and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. (You can slice the pork chops or leave them whole for serving.)
  6. Serve pork chops with asparagus on the side and pickled cucumbers on top. Enjoy!

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