Tampa chef cooks Vietnamese pork dinner in 30 minutes
John Capponi demonstrates a home recipe that pairs seared pork tenderloin with coconut lime rice and a cucumber salad.
By Chloe Phillips ·
Home cooks can prepare a Southeast Asian meal in under 30 minutes, according to a Tampa based chef. John Capponi of Capponi Culinary recently shared a method for making restaurant quality dishes in a standard kitchen. He focuses on a Vietnamese inspired caramel pork tenderloin.
The recipe calls for 1.5 pounds of pork tenderloin cut into 1.5 inch medallions. The meat is seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper. It is seared in neutral oil for two minutes on one side and between 1.5 and 2 minutes on the other. The pork is removed while slightly undercooked to finish in the sauce.
The sauce is built in the same skillet. A mixture of 1/3 cup light brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of water is heated until it bubbles and darkens. Chef Capponi adds 1/3 cup chicken stock, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, and 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce. He grates 2 cloves of garlic and 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger directly into the pan. Thin slices of one Fresno chile are also included. The liquid simmers for two to three minutes until it turns glossy. The pork returns to the pan to baste in the caramel. Fresh lime juice and rice vinegar finish the dish. A teaspoon of cold butter is whisked in for shine.
The main course is served with a side of coconut lime jasmine rice. The recipe uses 1 cup of jasmine rice cooked with 3/4 cup of unsweetened coconut milk and 3/4 cup of water. It simmers for 15 minutes. The rice rests for five to ten minutes before being fluffed with lime zest and sliced scallions.
A crisp salad completes the plate. The dish features long ribbons shaved from one English cucumber and one medium carrot. They are tossed in a dressing of rice vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, and sesame oil. The salad includes 1/2 cup of fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup of cilantro, sliced scallions, and toasted sesame seeds.
Viewers can find the full recipe on the Dinner DeeAs website. The show airs every weekday at 1 p.m. on FOX 13 Tampa Bay. It also airs at 7 a.m. on FOX 35 Plus in Orlando. Episodes are available on YouTube and Fox Local.
The show invites viewers to email photos and recipe requests to DinnerDeeAs@fox.com. The team also maintains an Instagram account at @DinnerDeeAs and a Facebook page at facebook.com/DinnerDeeAs.
Source: FOX 13 Tampa Bay
