Grilled meat with mac khen is a grilled dish that embodies the culture of the ethnic people in the Northwest region. Today, in the cooking section, TasteVN will share with you the recipe for this delicious and unique grilled dish!
1. Grilled skewered meat with mac khen
Preparation
10 minutes
Cooking
30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Grilled skewered meat with mac khen Serves 4
Pork belly 600 gr Mac khen 2 tablespoons Northern lime leaves 20 leaves (chuc leaves) Lemongrass 2 stalks Horn chili 1 piece Shallots 4 bulbs Garlic 3 cloves Green hot chili 6 pieces Vietnamese balm a little Culantro a little Coriander a little Lime 1 piece Honey 2 tablespoons Seasoning powder 2 tablespoons Fish sauce 2 tablespoons Cooking oil 2 tablespoons Common spices a little (sugar/ seasoning/ salt/ pepper)
How to choose fresh, delicious pork belly
- To select good meat, observe and choose the pork belly that has a layer of pinkish-white meat with a bright white fat layer in between.
- Touch the meat to feel its firmness and dryness.
- Do not choose meat that is too dark, has a foul smell, or is slimy.
Tools needed
Bamboo skewers, pan, knife, electric stove,…
How to prepare Grilled pork skewers with mac khén
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Prepare the meat
After buying the pork, scrape off any remaining hair on the skin, wash it with diluted salt water, and rinse several times with clean water, then let it drain.
Cut the pork into thick, thin slices.
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Marinate the meat
Place the cut pork in a bowl to marinate, season the meat with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1.5 teaspoons of roasted and crushed mac khén pepper, and 1/2 tablespoon of fish sauce.
Then add 1.5 tablespoons of honey, 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of finely chopped kaffir lime leaves, 2 tablespoons of minced shallots, 2 tablespoons of minced lemongrass, and 2 tablespoons of minced chili, mix well and let it marinate for 20 minutes.
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Skewer the meat
Use bamboo skewers to skewer the meat, alternating with a kaffir lime leaf after every 2 pieces of meat until finished. Each skewer can hold about 6 to 8 pieces of meat.
Use an electric grill to cook, continuously turn the skewers to ensure the meat is evenly cooked and has an appealing color.
Tip: To prevent bamboo skewers from burning while grilling, soak the skewers in water for about 5 minutes before skewering the meat! -
Make Chẩm Chéo
You add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped Vietnamese balm, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped perilla, 5 – 6 grilled green chilies, 1 tablespoon of shredded ginger, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of mac khen, 1 teaspoon of salt powder into a mortar, pound well, then add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
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Final Product
Grilled meat skewers with mac khen are fragrant, carrying the distinct flavor of the Northwest mountains. The meat is tender and sweet, slightly spicy, and aromatic, served with a unique dipping sauce that brings a new and irresistible flavor.
2. Grilled Ribs with Mac Khen
Preparation
25 minutes
Cooking
30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Grilled Ribs with Mac Khen Serves 4
Pork ribs 1 kg Mac khen spice 1 tablespoon Garlic 2 cloves Green chili 5 pieces Cooking oil 2 tablespoons Common seasoning a little (sugar/ salt/ monosodium glutamate)
How to Choose Good Pork Ribs
- When selecting pork ribs, be sure to choose fresh ribs that are pink in color, with a firm texture and no sour smell.
- You should choose ribs that are flat and small in bone size. Such ribs have less bone and more meat compared to those with large, round bones.
- Avoid purchasing ribs that are discolored, have lost their firmness, emit an unpleasant odor, or are slimy, as these indicate that the ribs have been stored for too long and may be spoiled or of poor quality.
How to Cook Grilled Ribs with Mac Khen
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Preparing the Ribs
After purchasing the pork ribs, rub salt onto the meat or dilute the salt to wash the meat, then rinse several times with clean water and let it drain.
You can leave the ribs whole for grilling or cut them into large pieces as desired.
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Pound the ingredients
Add 2 tablespoons of salt, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 2 cloves of garlic, 5 green bird’s eye chilies, and 1 tablespoon of Mac Khen into a mortar or bowl and pound until finely ground.
Tip: You can roast the Mac Khen first to enhance its aroma. -
Marinate the ribs
Put the prepared ribs into a bowl, add all the pounded spices, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and mix well to let the meat absorb the spices. Marinate the meat for about 20 minutes.
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Grill the ribs
Prepare a charcoal grill with glowing coals to grill the meat, continuously turning it to ensure even cooking and an attractive color.
Once the ribs are grilled, cut them into bite-sized pieces and enjoy.
Tip: Do not grill the ribs over high heat as this can easily burn the ribs. -
Final product
The grilled ribs with mac khen are fragrant, hot, and perfect for eating while blowing on them. The meat is tender and sweet, with a spicy kick from the mac khen, served with some fresh herbs and wild vegetables – it’s unbeatable!
How to clean pork properly, without odor
- Method 1: Soak the pork in salt water for 5 – 10 minutes to allow the impurities in the meat to gradually release.
- Method 2: You can use salt or lemon juice to rub on the meat, then rinse with clean water and let it dry.
- Method 3: Use crushed ginger mixed with alcohol in an appropriate ratio, rub the meat thoroughly, then rinse it well with water.
What is mắc khén?
- Mắc khén is a type of seed that grows in clusters on a woody tree, commonly found in the Northwest regions and widely used by the White Thai ethnic group.
- The locals harvest mắc khén around November when they begin to ripen, and they are dried for later use.
- Mắc khén has a taste quite similar to pepper but is spicier and more fragrant, ground into powder and used as a spice.
What is chẩm chéo?
- Chẩm chéo is a traditional spice of the Thai ethnic group in the Northwest region.
- The main ingredients to make chẩm chéo are salt, mắc khén seeds, dried garlic, and roasted fresh chili. After preparing all the ingredients, grind them together finely.
- The ethnic people of the Northwest region often use chẩm chéo for dipping with sticky rice, boiled dishes, grilled dishes, and fresh vegetables.
With 2 ways to make grilled meat with mac khén that TasteVN has just provided above, I hope it will help you have more delicious and unique dishes to treat your family! Wish you success.
*Refer to the recipes and images from the YouTube channel Ann Lang Thang and Mon Ngon Moi Ngay
