GRILLED PORK STEAK WITH MUSTARD GLAZE
Pork blade steaks are thin, so they cook up in a flash: 10 minutes on the grill, and they're done. These are shellacked with mustard, dusted with fennel pollen, and plated alongside grilled melon, squash blossoms, and pickled garlic scapes. Nothing is more summery.
Provided by Justin Smillie
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- Light the grill: Place a chimney starter on the grate of a charcoal grill. Add newspaper in the bottom, then fill with charcoal. Light the newspaper, which will in turn light the charcoal. When the charcoal is mature with ashed-over gray embers (about 30-45 minutes later), remove the chimney and pour the charcoal into the grill. Using oven mitts, replace the grill rack.
- Season the pork: Set the pork on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Brush with mustard, then season with pepper and several generous pinches of salt. Flip the meat, press down so it absorbs the seasonings, and repeat on the other side. Sprinkle fennel pollen over the meat on both sides and set aside.
- Grill: Cut the melon in half, scoop out the seeds, and cut into 7 or 8 wedges. Place on the outer edges of the grill, where the heat is indirect, and cook 4-6 minutes, turning halfway through. Lay the pork steaks in the middle of the grill over the hotter, direct heat. Place foil-wrapped bricks on top of the pork to keep the meat's edges from curling. Remove every 2 minutes to flip the meat, then replace bricks. If the meat flares up, move it to another spot on the grill. Halfway through grilling (which will take a total of about 6-10 minutes), baste the pork on both sides with the butter mop, and sprinkle with sugar to aid the caramelization. When the melon and the pork are both nicely charred, switch their locations on the grill: move the pork to the cooler edge of the grill and the melon to the hot center for about a minute, to warm through. Meanwhile, cut the radishes into large slices and set aside.
- Finish the dish and assemble: Grill the pickled garlic scapes for 1-2 minutes. On a serving platter or wooden board, plate the pork steaks, melon, charred garlic scapes, and radishes. Sprinkle everything with fresh lemon juice, a pinch of fennel pollen, and salt. Drizzle olive oil over the melon and scatter torn squash blossoms just before serving.
- For the garlic confit, preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In a small saucepan, add the garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon peel, and bay leaf. Cover and bake 1-1½ hours, until the garlic is tender and golden. For the butter mop, heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add half the garlic confit (the remainder will last, refrigerated, up to two weeks); break it up and let it sizzle, 2-3 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes a thick paste. Add butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, whisking with each addition. Bring the butter to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Whisk in the mustard and black pepper, and set aside until it's time to baste.
- Place 10 garlic scapes in a jar. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil; pour the liquid over the scapes to scald them. Seal the jar and place in a cool, dark place for 10 days to ferment.
GRILLED GARLICKY FIVE-SPICE PORK STEAKS
The menu at Vietnamese restaurants in the United States often includes an inexpensive, homey rice plate with grilled pork chops flavored with Chinese five-spice powder, garlic, and onion. Unfortunately, I have often found the dish disappointing, with the rib chops dry and thin. Even with a knife and fork, the meat-typically broiled, rather than the advertised grilled-is hard to cut. After a number of dissatisfying rice plates, I decided to make the pork at home. To avoid dry meat, I opted for pork shoulder steaks. The slightly fatty, flavorful steaks turned out to be perfect for absorbing the bold marinade and remained moist after grilling. Sliced up before serving, the meat is easily managed with chopsticks, too, and I include a dipping sauce for extra flavor. Serve the pork with rice and a salad or a stir-fried or sautéed vegetable for a light meal. Add a soup such as Opo Squash Soup (page 60) and you have a traditional Vietnamese menu. Use any left overs for baguette sandwiches (page 34) or Mixed Rice (page 245).
Yield serves 4 to 6 with 2 or 3 other dishes
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- If the pork steaks are large, cut them into pieces about the size of your hand. To make the marinade, in a baking dish or shallow bowl large enough to accommodate the steaks, combine the garlic, shallot, five-spice powder, oil, fish sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper and mix well. Add the steaks and use your fingers to coat all the surfaces well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours for the best flavor.
- Remove the pork from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Prepare a medium charcoal fire (you can hold your hand over the rack for only 4 to 5 seconds) or preheat a gas grill to medium.
- Grill the steaks, turning once, for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until browned and a little charred on the edges.
- Transfer the steaks to a plate, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Provide each diner with an individual dish for the dipping sauce.
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