Bai Sach Chrouk

Breakfast Serves 4 people Cambodia

One of Cambodia’s best-loved breakfast dishes is bai sach chrouk (pork with rice). The pork is tenderized in a coconut milk marinade before being grilled over charcoal and served with rice, pickles and sometimes a cup of clear chicken broth.

INGREDIENTS:

14 oz (400g) lean pork loin, thinly sliced

FOR THE MARINADE:
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 oz (55g) grated palm sugar, or use light brown sugar
7 oz (200g) tinned coconut milk
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 lime, juiced

FOR THE PICKLES:
2-3 carrots, grated
Half cucumber, cut into thin strips
A handful of fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves
1 tsp salt
3 ½ oz (100g) sugar
4 fl oz (120ml) white vinegar
4 fl oz (120ml) water


Step 1

First, make the marinade by combining all the ingredients together. Add the pork, cover and allow to marinate for a few hours, ideally overnight.

Step 2

To make the pickles, grate the carrots and cut the cucumber into thin strips, then combine the rest of the ingredients and pour over the vegetables. Add in the cilantro, stir well, then cover and leave for at least an hour (will keep for a couple of weeks refrigerated).

Step 3

Remove the pork from the marinade and either grill or barbecue until well caramelized and completely cooked through. Serve with steamed white rice and the pickled vegetables.