Vietnamese Grilled Meat (Thit Nuong) Marinade - Serves 4

Adapted from the Ravenous Couple

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup minced or thinly sliced lemongrass
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 shallots, minced.
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbs ground pepper
2 tbs fish sauce

3 tbs sesame oil

1 tbs thick or sweet soy sauce (use caramel sauce if unavailable)
1.5 lb pork butt or shoulder (NOT lean), OR beef sirloin or cheaper cut.

EQUIPMENT
8-10 Bamboo skewers

DIRECTIONS

Thinly slice the meat just under 1/4 inch or so (not too thin as you do not want it to dry out when grilled; do not use lean pork as it could dry.)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemongrass, shallots, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, pepper, dark soy sauce, and sesame oil.  Mix in the meat and coat well.  Marinate for at least 1.5 hours (up to overnight).

Soak the bamboo skewers for about 30 minutes.  When ready, thread the meat on the skewers.

Grill the meat until cooked (some charring is okay), about 7-9 minutes total.