Chiang Mai Pork Patties

Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 5-10 minutes Servings: 4-5

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground pork
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup coarsely chopped shallots
  • ⅓ cups finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons minced peeled fresh lemongrass
  • 1-1 ½ tablespoon minced lime rind
  • 2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons Chile garlic sauce
  • 20-25 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves
  • ⅔ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • ⅔ cup fresh mint leaves
  • 10 lime wedges
  • Sweet Thai chili sauce, for serving

Directions

  • Combine pork and salt in a medium bowl; toss to combine.
  • Place shallots in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. Add chopped cilantro and next 5 ingredients (through chiles); process until mixture is finely chopped. Add pork mixture; pulse 5 times or until mixture is well combined.
  • Using wet hands, shape mixture into 15 (1-inch-thick) patties (about 2 tablespoons per patty). Heat a large grill pan over high heat. Add half of the pork patties. Cook for 5 minutes on each side or until done. Repeat the procedure with remaining patties. (Alternatively, cook on outdoor grill for 3-4 minutes per side.)
  • Arrange 3 lettuce leaves and 3 pork patties on each of 5 plates, and serve each serving with about ¼ cup herbs and 2 lime wedges. Serve with sweet Thai chili sauce.