Vietnamese Ground Pork In Tomato Sauce Thit Bam Sot Ca Chua Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it transforms humble ground pork into a savory masterpiece with layers of umami from the fish sauce and soy sauce, perfectly balanced by the sweet tomatoes and aromatic garlic. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up and makes me feel like a total kitchen boss while delivering a delish meal that hits all the right comforting notes.

I adore the way my Thịt Băm Sốt Cà Chua recipe transforms a somewhat mundane mixture of ground pork into a lively dish with an abundance of flavors. The pork mingles with soy sauce, fish sauce, and tomatoes—blueprints for a vibrant sauce that could hold its own at a noon meal.

Garlic and onion take base notes, adding to the aromatic symphony that greets anyone entering the kitchen when dinner is in the works. I finish the dish with a garnish of fresh cilantro, and I am convinced once more that this herb was placed on the planet as the universe’s best-ever seasoning for pork and any number of other proteins.

Ingredients

Ground Pork:
Protein-rich; contributes deep, delectable taste.

Tomatoes:
Loaded with vitamins, it provides a sweet, tangy foundation.

Fish Sauce:
Contributes umami richness; quintessentially Vietnamese.

Soy Sauce:
Salt makes everything taste better.

Period.

Sugar:
It balances acidity and contributes a hint of sweetness.

Garlic:
Rich in antioxidants; penetrates with the aromatic depth.

Ingredient Quantities

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• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion, which has been finely chopped, and sauté it until it is translucent.

2. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute until aromatic.

3. Raise the temperature to medium-high and put the ground pork in the skillet. Stir and cook the pork until it is browned and completely cooked.

4. Combine the chopped tomatoes and cook until they start to break down, about 3-4 minutes.

5. Combine all the elements and ingredients in a large mixing bowl. You’ll need: fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper to match the original recipe. Mix thoroughly so that it all comes together into one.

6. Add the water to the mixture and heat it up to a simmer. Turn down the heat to low and maintain the simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces to the right consistency.

7. Sample the sauce and modify the flavoring if needed, adding more salt, sugar, or pepper according to your individual taste.

8. Add the minced green onions and cook for 2 more minutes.

9. Take the skillet off the heat and let it cool a bit.

10. Ground pork and fresh tomato sauce can be served over steamed rice or noodles. To garnish this dish, use fresh cilantro.

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet
2. Wooden spoon or spatula
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Measuring cup
7. Large mixing bowl
8. Stirring spoon

FAQ

• Q:Can I use another kind of meat instead of ground pork? A: You can use ground chicken, turkey, or beef in place of ground pork if you have different flavor preferences or dietary restrictions.
• Q:What can be used in place of fish sauce? A: If fish sauce is unavailable, soy sauce can serve as a stand-in, though the taste will differ somewhat.
• Q:Is it possible to prepare this dish in a vegetarian manner? A: Affirmative. You could use firm tofu or a plant-based ground meat alternative to make it suitable for vegetarians to consume.
• Q:What is the cooking time for this dish? A: It’s a dish that cooks quickly, taking about 30 minutes from start to finish. It may be one of the easiest meals to put together, making it perfect for those on a tight schedule.
• Q:Is it permissible to freeze leftover food?
  A:
  Indeed, this dish may be frozen with great success. Place it in a container that is airtight, and you may freeze it for as long as 3 months.
• Q:What can I serve this with? A: This pairs well with steamed rice, vermicelli noodles, or baguette slices for a complete meal.
• Q:Can the sauce be made thicker? Yes, the sauce can be made thicker by leaving it on the heat for a longer time, or if you want to thicken it more quickly, you can add a slurry made from cornstarch and water.

Substitutions and Variations

1 lb of ground pork – You can substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey.
1 tbsp vegetable oil – Use canola oil or sunflower oil as substitutes.
1 onion, finely chopped – Use shallots or leeks instead.
Use 1/2 tsp garlic powder in place of 3 cloves garlic, minced.
1 tablespoon fish sauce—For a milder flavor, substitute with soy sauce; for a gluten-free option, use tamari.

Pro Tips

1. For a deeper flavor, consider toasting the garlic in the oil before adding the onion. This can enhance the overall taste of the dish.

2. Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the sauce to ensure it has a rich and slightly sweet flavor. If the tomatoes aren’t very ripe, you can add a bit more sugar or use a splash of tomato paste.

3. Consider using a mix of dark and light soy sauce for added depth and complexity in the sauce, but make sure to adjust the seasoning as dark soy sauce can be saltier.

4. To help thicken the sauce and enhance its flavor, you can simmer it uncovered for the last few minutes, allowing excess liquid to evaporate.

5. For extra aroma and freshness, add about half of the cilantro while the dish is still warm, not just as a garnish. This will allow the cilantro’s flavors to meld with the dish.