What to do with lemongrass

Lemon grass is commonly used in green curries. Vietnamese dishes often use lemon grass finely shredded up in marinades and used with fish, chicken or pork. I used to shred my own but found the ones found pre-shredded in Asian markets a much easier alternative. This marinade can be used on chicken or pork and is certainly distinct and flavorful. The first time I made this for Moe's parents they loved it so much they made it themselves the next weekend. They told me theirs wasn't as good due to the cut of lean pork loin they used--when making this it is essential to use a fatty cut of pork to capture the juiciness and flavor. This dish can be served with rice. Served over rice noodles with some shredded carrots, cucumbers, crushed peanuts and fresh herbs like mint, basil or Asian coriander leaves.  Also great for Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches. 

Ingredients:
3 lbs pork shoulder or country style boneless pork ribs, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup shredded lemon grass
5 garlic cloves, chopped or grated
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoon thick dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon black pepper, cracked
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
3 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon white pepper or white pepper salt
3 tablespoon chopped roasted peanuts or almonds
Optional: 1 tablespoon crushed red chili pepper flakes

Directions:
Cut pork into 1/4" thin strips that are approx. 3"-4" long. In medium bowl or container, combine pork and all the ingredients. 

Thoroughly mix to cover all the pork strips. Refridgerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees on broil. Take the marinaded pork out of the refrigerator and evenly spread onto un-greased baking tray, being careful not to overcrowd. This recipe is for 3lbs and will require 2 trays, broiling 1 tray of meat at a time, or you can char grill these on a grill plate. 

Place the tray onto middle rack of oven and let broil for about 15-20 minutes until it starts sizzling and getting a bit crispy on top. Carefully slide out of oven and flip each strip, place back into oven and  continue to broil until you see the tops sizzle and are evenly cooked. This should take a lot less time, approx. 10 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to platter and finish it off by sprinkling some crushed peanuts or almonds on top.