Cook Yourself Thin

Vietnamese cuisine is full of vitamins and low in fat - perfect food for Cook Yourself Thin

Gizzi: "Vietnamese food is full of vitamins and low in fat. Plus it is spicy and really quick and easy to make!"

Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 5 minutes

• 1 stalk lemongrass, peeled of its woody leaves, then very finely chopped
• 3 limes leaves, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp golden caster sugar
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp groundnut oil
• 200g pork fillet cut into medallions, then bashed out to form flat discs

For the sauce

• 2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 small fresh red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tbsp golden caster sugar
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 100ml rice wine vinegar
• 100ml fish sauce

For the salad

• 100g thin rice noodles
• 8 romaine lettuce leaves, chopped
• ½ cucumber, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced into matchsticks
• 6 spring onions, cut into matchsticks
• 12 large mint leaves, finely chopped
• A small bunch of coriander

How to make pork bun cha

1. Place the lemongrass, lime leaves, garlic, turmeric, sugar and fish sauce into a mixing bowl and mix together. Rub the pork with the mixture then leave to marinade for 30 minutes.

2. To make the sauce, combine the garlic, chilli and sugar in a mortar or food processor. Pound them into a fine paste. Add the lime juice, vinegar, fish sauce and 50ml of water, then stir to blend.

3. Put the noodles in a bowl with boiling water to cover. Let stand until al dente, which will take about 10 minutes. Divide the noodles between two bowls. Mix the salad vegetables together then top each bowl of noodles with salad.

4. Heat the oil in a griddle on high until it is almost smoking. Throw on the pork and grill for 3 minutes or until the meat has charred nicely and is just cooked through. Top each bowl with the grilled pork

5. Finish by topping each bowl with the herbs and serve with a few tablespoons of sauce poured over.