“You know that overused spag bol or chilli con carne that you love but are a little tired of? Let me introduce the caramelised pork bowl,” says chef Philli Armitage-Mattin.
“It’s ready in under 30 minutes and it’s super, super tasty.”
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 6 spring onions, sliced, white and green parts separately
- 2 carrots, grated or finely chopped (I like to use a mandoline but be careful)
- pinch of salt
- 2.5cm piece of ginger, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4–8 bird’s eye or Thai chillies, finely sliced
- 500g pork, minced
- 5 tablespoons / 60g brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 3 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed
- 1 lime, wedged
- handful of coriander, chopped
- handful of mint, chopped
To serve:
- steamed jasmine rice
Read: Barbecued Sticky Pork Spare Ribs
Method
If you’re serving with rice, get your rice on the go first.
Heat a wok over a medium-high heat with the oil, then add the spring onions (white parts only), half the carrots and the salt. Cook for three to four minutes, stirring constantly. You’re looking for the carrot to turn slightly limp. Add the ginger, garlic and chillies and cook for a further minute until aromatic.
Read: Five-Spice Pork Stir-Fry
Add the pork mince to the wok and turn up to a high heat, breaking up all the meat with a spatula to make sure all the pork turns white and there are no pink bits.
Add the brown sugar, fish sauce and soy sauce. Give everything a stir before leaving it to fully cook down and caramelise without stirring for about six to eight minutes. Stir again and then let everything fully caramelise again for about 60 seconds. Repeat until the meat is dark brown and there are little crispy bits of pork. However, keep an eye on it because it can burn quickly.
Taste adjust to your flavour profile, and serve over rice with chilli flakes, the rest of the spring onions, roasted peanuts, lime wedges and chopped fresh herbs.
Read: Leftover Roast Chicken and Vegie Soup
Taste Kitchen: Asia: Six Flavours To Suit Every Taste by Philli Armitage-Mattin is published by Robinson. Photography by Phoebe Pearson. Available now.
What do you think of these pork and vegie bowls? Why not share how the recipes works for you in the comments section below?
– With PA
