Toothpick Pork
First time trying to make Toothpick Pork? Don’t worry! Follow this detailed step, and even beginners can easily handle it and make delicious food that will earn praise.
What is Toothpick Pork?
Toothpick Pork is a snack, usually made with pork sliced thin, marinated, then skewered with toothpicks and fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
The charm of this snack lies in its savory sauce flavor, as various seasonings are added during the marination.
In terms of how to eat it, it is more suitable as a side dish with alcohol or an appetizer because it is small and convenient, and you can easily eat one bite with the toothpick. It’s not greasy and can satisfy your cravings.
Required Equipment
Bowl or large container: Used to marinate the meat, ensuring the marinade evenly covers each piece of meat.
Wooden toothpicks: Used to skewer the meat, and you can adjust the number and spacing of the skewers according to your taste.
Pan or deep pot: Used to fry the meat, it’s best to choose a deeper pot so that the oil won’t splatter.
Oil thermometer (optional): Used to measure the oil temperature, ensuring it reaches around 150°C. If the oil temperature is not enough, it won’t become crispy; if it’s too high, it may burn.
INGREDIENTS
Main Ingredients
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·300g lean pork (sliced thin)
Additional Ingredients
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·10g black sesame
Seasonings
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·5ml cooking wine
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·5g salt
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·3g white sugar
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·3g pepper salt
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·10g chili powder
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·10g curry powder
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·10ml soy sauce
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·5ml chili oil (optional, can be added or not depending on personal taste)
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·5ml sesame oil (optional, can be added or not depending on personal taste)
COOKING STEP
Step 1
Slice 300g lean pork thinly.
Step 2
Place the pork in a bowl, add 5ml cooking wine, 5g salt, 3g white sugar, 3g pepper salt, 10g chili powder, 10g curry powder, and 10ml soy sauce, and mix well.
Step 3
Add 5ml chili oil and 5ml sesame oil according to personal taste, mix again, and marinate for an hour and a half.
Step 4
After marinating, add 10g black sesame to the meat and mix evenly.
Step 5
Skewer the meat with toothpicks.
Step 6
Pour a small amount of oil into the pan, heat it to about 60% (oil temperature is around 150°C).
Step 7
Fry the toothpick pork evenly until golden.
Step 8
Once fully cooked, take it out and plate it. Done.
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Success Tips
Slice the meat thin: When slicing the lean pork, try to make it as thin as possible, so it can absorb the flavor easily and be more tender when fried.
Marinate thoroughly: The marinating time must be sufficient, preferably over 1.5 hours, to allow the seasonings to fully penetrate the meat, which will make the flavor better.
Adjust the seasoning amount: Adjust the amount of chili powder, curry powder, and sesame oil according to personal taste. If you prefer stronger flavors, you can add a bit more.
Control the oil temperature: The oil temperature should not be too high, around 150°C is best. If the temperature is too high, it will burn, and if it’s too low, it won’t be crispy.
Fry evenly: After placing the toothpick pork in the oil, try to ensure that each skewer has contact with the oil to fry evenly, so it can become golden and crispy.
Drain the oil after frying: After frying, remove it in time and place it on paper towels to drain the excess oil, keeping the taste light and refreshing.
Substitutes and Variations
If you want to make some substitutions and variations for Toothpick Pork, you can try the following methods:
Switch the meat: Lean pork can be replaced with chicken breast, beef, or lamb, depending on personal preference. Beef and lamb will have a chewier texture.
Adjust the flavor: If you don’t like spicy, you can reduce the amount of chili powder and chili oil, and add some five-spice powder or cumin powder for a more Middle Eastern flavor.
Different seasonings: Curry powder can be replaced with barbecue powder or cumin powder, giving the Toothpick Pork a different flavor.
Add some vegetables: To increase nutrition, you can add some bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms while skewering the meat. This will make the texture more varied and add color.
Change the frying method: If you don’t like the deep-frying method, you can try using an air fryer to reduce the oil amount, and it will still come out crispy.
Stronger aroma: If you like a more fragrant taste, you can add garlic powder or onion powder to the marinade to enhance the aroma.
Eating Suggestions
Pair with a vegetable salad: Toothpick Pork has a heavy greasy feel, so pairing it with a refreshing vegetable salad, like cucumber, tomato, and carrot, can make the overall taste more balanced.
Chili sauce: If you like stronger flavors, you can add some chili sauce or garlic sauce. The spiciness pairs very well with the crispy pork.
Pair with a drink: If it’s served as a snack or party food, a cold beer or a refreshing drink would complement the flavor perfectly.
FAQs:
For example, toothpicks help the meat slices keep their shape, preventing them from losing shape or sticking together while frying.
At the same time, they allow each piece of meat to be evenly heated, making it crispier and looking better.
Also, toothpicks are quite fun and can make the dish look more creative, making it easier to eat and controlling portion size, so you don't eat too much at once.
If you don’t like pork, you can try chicken breast or beef. However, lean pork has less fat, so it becomes crispier when fried and is also healthier.
If the oil temperature is too high, it will easily become burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. Make sure the oil temperature is moderate, fry until golden and crispy, and after taking it out, you can place it on kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.
You can use a fork to poke the meat, and if it feels firm and no raw meat juice comes out, it means it is fully cooked.
REVIEWS
