Pork Satay with Spiced Peanut Sauce

Satay (or sate) is a popular South Asian dish of meat grilled on skewers and served with a sauce, usually peanut based and often spicy. Just about any kind of meat is used in satay, but chicken, pork, and lamb are most common.

Satay is similar to kebabs, but instead of skewering large chunks of meat or vegetables, satay meat is cut into lengthwise strips and threaded onto the skewers in a zigzag fashion. Lay a strip of meat on a work surface and form it similar to the letter "Z" (or "S"). Pierce the bottom end with the skewer and thread it through the top:

Note: If you don’t use fresh pineapple for the relish, purchase a good-quality canned variety—small chunks, or tidbits. And for the peanut sauce, choose a “natural” peanut butter that contains only...yes, peanuts. Stir the separated oil into the butter very well before using.

Serves 4

Ingredients

For the Spiced Peanut Sauce

• 1/3 cup creamy, natural peanut butter
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground fresh chile paste (sambal oelek)
• 2 tsp fresh lime juice
• 1 Thai chile, finely chopped

For the Pork Satay

• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp finely chopped, peeled ginger, divided
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 lb boneless center-cut pork chops, about 1/4-inch thick (3-4 chops), cut lengthwise into thin strips
• 1 cup fresh, or good-quality canned, small pineapple chunks
• 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
• 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice, such as basmati

Sliced Chops 

Chopped Pineapple

Preparation

For the Spiced Peanut Sauce

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring well to incorporate the peanut butter. Re-stir and divide into small dipping bowls just before serving.

Spiced Peanut Sauce

For the Pork Satay

1. Combine the soy sauce, 1 teaspoon ginger, sesame oil, and garlic in a sturdy, sealable plastic bag. Add the pork, seal, and turn several times to coat. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Marinated Pork

1. Combine the pineapple, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and remaining 1 teaspoon ginger in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Salsa Mixture 

Pineapple Salsa

1. Remove the pork from the bag and thread lengthwise in a zigzag fashion on each of 8 skewers (2-3 slices per skewer). (If you're using wood skewers, soak them in water 30 minutes before using.)
2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with peanut oil. Grill the skewers until the pork is charred on the outside and just cooked through, about 8 minutes total, turning on each side.

Ready to Sear 

Skewers Beginning to Sear

After 1st Turn

Seared Skewers

Serve the skewers with pineapple relish and rice alongside, and with peanut sauce in small bowls.

Pork Satay with Spiced Peanut Sauce