Savory Minced Pork on Pineapple: A Delightful Thai Appetizer
Description:
Savory Minced Pork on Pineapple, known as Mah Haw, is a vibrant dish that brings together the flavors of ground pork with the sweetness of fresh pineapple, creating an irresistible combination perfect for any gathering. This recipe, inspired by Nancie McDermottโs “Real Thai: The Best of Thailand’s Regional Cooking,” is perfect for serving as an appetizer for 8 to 10 people or as a main course for a smaller group of 3 to 4. The dish carries cultural significance, translating from Vietnamese as “Horses of the Haw People,” but rest assured, it features no horse meatโjust delicious, savory pork.
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
Category: Lunch/Snacks
Servings: Approximately 8-10 appetizers or 3-4 main servings
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground pork | 1 pound |
| Fish sauce | ยฝ cup |
| Palm sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Brown sugar | 2 tablespoons |
| Fresh pineapple | 1 large |
| Fresh cilantro leaves | 6 leaves |
| Whole black peppercorn | ยผ teaspoon |
| Fresh coriander | 1 cup |
| Additional cilantro leaves | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic | 2 cloves |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 89.9 |
| Total Fat | 2.7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 19.5 mg |
| Sodium | 292.4 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 9.6 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g |
| Sugars | 7.3 g |
| Protein | 7.2 g |
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cilantro Pesto: Start by using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to crush the whole black peppercorns into a fine powder. Then, combine the crushed pepper, fresh cilantro leaves, and minced garlic in the mortar, working them together into a fairly smooth paste. If you’re using a blender or food processor, you might need to add a splash of vegetable oil or water to facilitate the grinding process. For future use, transfer the pesto to a glass jar, topping it with a little oil to keep it fresh, and seal it tightly.
-
Cook the Pork: Heat a wok or a medium skillet over medium heat and add a splash of vegetable oil, swirling it around to coat the surface evenly. Once the oil is hot, introduce the cilantro pesto into the pan and stir-fry it until it becomes fragrant, which should take about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, then crumble in the ground pork. Stir-fry the pork until it breaks up into small lumps, renders its fat, and is no longer pink, approximately 2 minutes.
-
Add Flavoring: Incorporate the fish sauce and palm sugar, continuing to cook while stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to ensure the meat is evenly coated and browned. After about 4 minutes, the pork should be nicely browned. Remove the pan from heat and taste the sauce to check for a pleasant balance of salty and sweet. Adjust the flavors by adding more fish sauce or sugar if needed, then return the pan to the heat briefly to incorporate the adjustments.
-
Prepare the Pineapple: While the pork cools, peel the pineapple and cut it crosswise into ยผ-inch-thick slices. Remove the tough core from the center of each slice, then cut the pineapple into 1-inch squares; you should yield about 2 cups of pineapple squares.
-
Serve: To present the dish, place a generous spoonful of the savory pork mixture atop each pineapple square. Garnish each mound with strips of pepper and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro leaves. Transfer the completed appetizer to a serving platter and allow it to rest at room temperature, perfect for enjoying as finger food at your next gathering.
This recipe for Savory Minced Pork on Pineapple not only showcases the delightful flavors of Thai cuisine but also offers a unique twist that will impress your guests. Enjoy this delectable dish that blends the savory and sweet in every bite!
