VIETNAMESE SAISON PORK WITH NOODLES & SAISON NUOC CHAM

Cooking with Beer by Mark Dredge

(Dog ‘N’ Bone Books, an imprint of Ryland Peters, 2016, $19.95)

• 3/4 to 1 lb. pork neck fillet
• 2 lemongrass stalks, outer layer removed, very finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, very finely chopped
• 1-inch piece of ginger, very finely chopped
• 2 shallots (or 3 spring onions), very finely chopped
• 4 tbsp. fish sauce
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 4 tbsp. Saison Nuoc Cham (recipe follows)
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. honey
• Black pepper

Saison Nuoc Cham

• 2 tbsp. water
• 2 tbsp. saison beer
• 2 tbsp. fish sauce
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• Optional extras: 6 chilies and 6 cloves of garlic, both very finely chopped

For Serving:

• Cooked rice noodles 
• Finely diced carrots
• Fresh cilantro 
• Thai basil or mint leaves 
• Crushed peanuts

Take the pork and dice into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Chop the lemongrass, garlic, ginger and shallots as fine as possible. In a mixing bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, saison, sugar, honey and black pepper, stirring to mix it all together. Then add the chopped ingredients. Pour over the pork, making sure it’s all covered, and leave in the fridge for at least two hours (or up to eight hours).

To cook, either grill it on a barbecue so that it takes a caramelized char, or put in a hot oven (425 degrees) for 30 minutes.

For the saison nuoc cham, simply combine all ingredients.

To serve, place cooked rice noodles in a bowl. Place the pork on top with carrots, lots of fresh herbs, crushed peanuts and a few tablespoons of the saison nuoc cham. Serves 4.

MOONRAKER BREWING COMPANY MISS CONDUCT BLONDE ALE

Moonraker Brewing Company is one of the newest breweries in Placer County, opening in late April. Sited in Auburn, they have already made a big splash in the local craft beer community. At this year’s California State Fair, their blonde ale, Miss Conduct, won a gold medal. The fantastic, well-balanced brew is sessionable and refreshing—perfect for sipping on a warm summer’s day. It’s brewed with European malts and hops and holds a beautiful clear golden color. Light and refreshing, it pairs beautifully with the variety of complex flavors in Vietnamese Saison Pork.

—Eden Tuscano,

36 Handles Pub & Eatery