RECIPE : GRILLED BERRY FARM PORK CHOPS WITH PENANG CURRY

William Parker
ccSCOOP Food Editor

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Love me, love my grill. However humble it is--and mine is a simple Weber kettle--I plan on spending the next six to eight months standing by its side, cooking slowly, quickly, directly, indirectly, smoking, roasting, and things I haven't even dreamed of yet. Happiness is a brilliant evening in May, grilling (directly) sensational pork chops from the Berry Farm.

4 1-pound center-cut pork chops 3 tablespoons chopped basil Salt Freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Mix oil with chopped basil, salt and pepper, and massage pork chops with the mixture. Prepare direct fire on grill, and when coals are hot, grill chops, covered, for approximately 4 minutes each side, depending on the strength of your fire. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with Penang curry and Thai Cucumber Salad.

PENANG CURRY

1 can Thai coconut milk
3 to 4 tablespoons Thai Penang curry paste*
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
2 tablespoons turbinado (raw) sugar or regular sugar
3 to 4 Kaffir lime leaves, sliced **
Chopped basil
Chopped cilantro

Make sure the can of coconut milk has been left undisturbed for some time because you want to scoop out the cream that rises to the top. Scoop out ¼ cup of the cream and set aside. Scoop out the equivalent of 1 cup of cream and place in measuring cup. You should have some watery liquid at the bottom of the can. Keep that handy in case your curry is too hot.

Heat wok or small sauce pan briefly and add the ¼ cup coconut milk. Let it heat for a few seconds; then add the curry paste. Whisk for a minute or so, until it’s fragrant. Then add the remaining coconut cream and cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sugar and fish sauce and whisk again. Then add the rest of the coconut cream, the lime leaves, and the basil. Garnish the pork chops and curry with chopped coriander. * Penang curry paste is available at The Grainery in Chatham, at Asian markets in Albany, and online at amazon. **Kaffir lime leaves are available online.