Ingredients:
500g pork neck
2 cups fresh mixed salad greens (e.g., lettuce, arugula, or Thai basil)
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
1 red onion, finely sliced
23 bird’s eye chilies, sliced (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon palm sugar
Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish
Optional: roasted peanuts, crushed for garnish
Step 1: Preparing the Pork Neck
1. Select Quality Meat: Choose a goodquality pork neck, ideally with some marbling for added flavor.
2. Cook the Pork: Boil the pork neck in a pot of water. You may enhance the flavor by adding a few slices of ginger, a couple of kaffir lime leaves, or a stalk of lemongrass. Let it simmer for about 4050 minutes or until the meat becomes tender.
3. Cooling and Slicing: Once cooked, set the pork aside to cool. After it’s cooled down, slice it thinly against the grain to maintain tenderness.
Step 2: Preparing the Dressing
1. Mix the Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine the fish sauce, fresh lime juice, and palm sugar.
2. Stir Until Disolved: Use a spoon to mix until the palm sugar has fully dissolved. The dressing should strike a perfect balance between salty, sour, and sweet.
3. Add Heat: Stir in the sliced bird’s eye chilies to infuse the dressing with a spicy kick.
Step 3: Salad Assembly
1. Layer the Greens: Take a large serving plate or bowl and arrange the mixed salad greens as the base.
2. Add Cucumbers: Scatter the thinly sliced cucumbers over the greens, contributing to a refreshing crunch.
3. Incorporate Onions: Add the finely sliced red onions, which impart a zesty bite to the salad.
4. Combine with Pork: Neatly place the sliced pork neck on top of the salad, allowing the meat’s rich flavor to take center stage.
Step 4: Final Touches
1. Dress It Up: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the entire salad. Use as much or as little as you prefer, but ensure to cover the pork and veggies evenly.
2. Garnish: Top with fresh coriander leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of crushed roasted peanuts for extra crunch.
3. Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately to savor the freshness of the ingredients and the vivid flavors typical of Thai cuisine.
Enjoyment:
While you savor this majestic dish, let the intricate layers of flavors encapsulate your senses. The vibrant colors, the contrasting textures of the tender pork and crisp vegetables, and the explosion of fresh herbs and spices will transport you to the heart of Thailand. Each bite of this pork neck salad not only offers a delightful culinary experience but also evokes a bittersweet acknowledgment of life’s impermanence—beautiful yet fragile, exquisite yet fleeting, much like the gustatory journey through this resplendent dish.