Vietnamese pork sticks with lettuce cups

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1poundsPork butt, ground
6Water chestnuts, minced
1largeClove garlic, minced
1smallGreen onion, minced
1tablespoonSoy sauce, Japanese
2teaspoonsOil
teaspoonLemon juice, fresh
½teaspoonGinger, fresh, minced
¼teaspoonSugar
¼teaspoonHot chili oil, Chinese
teaspoonSalt
12Bamboo skewers - 5 to 6 inches long
12Boston lettuce leaves
½cupCilantro, chopped
½cupMint, fresh, chopped
½cupGreen onion, chopped
½cupSoy sauce, Japanese
5tablespoonsLemon juice, fresh
3tablespoonsWater
2Clove garlic, minced
2teaspoonsSugar
1teaspoonOyster sauce
1teaspoonGinger, fresh, minced
teaspoonCayenne pepper

Directions

GARNISHES

DIPPING SAUCE

FOR MEAT: Combine all ingredients in large bowl and use hands to mix gently but thoroughly. Shape into 12 cylinders approximately 3 inches long and no more than 1-inch thick. Insert bamboo skewer through each cylinder and set aside. Arrange garnishes in individual bowls; refrigerate.

FOR SAUCE: Combine all ingredients in small pan and bring to boil.

Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Let cool. Divide among 4 small bowls and set aside. Heat coals on barbecue until gray ash forms.

Spread into overlapping layer, knocking off ash so coals are hot and glowing. Place grill 2 to 3 inches above coals or, preheat oven to broil. Arrange pork sticks on grill or broiling pan so they do not touch. Cook until meat is crisped, browned and firm, turning often with tongs, about 10 to 15 minutes. Have each diner sprinkle lettuce leaf with other garnishes. Slip pork off skewer onto lettuce. Wrap around pork and use sauce for dipping. Meat mixture can be prepared and skewered up to 24 hours before barbecuing. Sauce will keep 2 weeks in refrigerator.