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Pork Toast
- 7 slices white sandwich bread (preferably squared, so the crust can be easily removed)
- 2 Tbsp any neutral flavoured oil
- 2 cilantro roots or 6 cilantro stems, chopped (note)
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp white peppercorns
- 150 g ground pork (I prefer regular ground pork, not lean, because it is more tender and moist)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp sugar (omit if your bread already has a sweetness to it)
- Half an egg, beaten
- 1 - 2 Tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
- Optional garnish: Cilantro leaves and little re d pepper juliennes
Note: If using cilantro roots, I recommend cutting off the fine little root hairs first because it takes a while to get them really fine in the mortar!
Ajaad (quick cucumber pickle to be served with the toasts)
- ½ cup quartered and sliced cucumber
- 1 Tbsp thinly sliced shallots
- Thinly sliced chilies (as much as you like and any kind you prefer, depending on how hot you want it to be)
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
For the ajaad : In a small pot, heat the sugar, vinegar and salt over medium high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool. Combine the cucumber, shallots, and chilies in a small serving bowl. A few minutes before serving, pour the cooled vinegar over the vegetables.
For the pork toast: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cut off the crust from the bread. Brush one side of the bread lightly with the oil. Cut each slice into 4 pieces and place the pieces on a baking sheet, oiled side down.
Make the pork mixture: In a mortar and pestle, pound together cilantro roots or stems, garlic, and white peppercorns into a fine paste. Add the pork, soy sauce, sugar (if using) and the egg and mix well.
Spread about 1 teaspoon of the pork mixture on each piece of toast (on the unoiled side) into a circular shape. Brush the top of each toast lightly with oil, making sure you get the exposed edges of the bread as well. Sprinkle toasted white sesame seeds on top (you can put as much or as little as you like) and pat them down with your fingers to secure them onto the pork. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the pork is fully cooked.
Change the oven setting to "broil" on high, and broil the toast just until the top side of the bread is nicely browned (this can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on how fast your broiler heats up, so don't walk away cuz it burns quick!). Note: I usually just leave the rack in the center position for broiling, but if you're impatient, you can move the rack higher and it'll brown faster. Be really careful though, cuz when it's that hot it'll burn really quickly if you leave it in even just a few seconds too long!
Let cool slightly and garnish with cilantro and bell peppers if desired, serve warm with the ajaad.
To reheat: You can refrigerate any leftovers and then bake them again in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about 5 minutes or until hot.
