Tamarind Pork Toasts with Cucumber Relish
Tamarind-glazed pork, crisp cucumber relish, and toasted baguette make a tangy handheld bite for sharing.
Prep: 12 · Cook: 18 · Total: 30 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (76 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
Inspired by Southeast Asian sweet-sour sauces, street-food toasties, and the best kind of quick party platter.
Story
Theo wants party food to arrive with a little swagger. Tamarind gives the pork a tangy shine, cucumber cools the whole bite, and the toast makes it sturdy enough to eat standing up. Put these on a tray and watch them disappear before the playlist gets going.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 10 ounces thin pork cutlets
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Persian cucumber, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 small baguette, sliced
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Stir the tamarind, brown sugar, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of water until smooth.
- Toss the cucumber with rice vinegar, sesame oil, a pinch of salt, and half the cilantro.
- Brush the baguette slices with a little oil and toast them in a skillet until golden on both sides.
- Season the pork with salt and pepper, heat the oil in the skillet, and cook the cutlets for 2 minutes per side.
- Pour the tamarind glaze over the pork and turn the pieces for 1 minute until glossy.
- Spread the toast with mayonnaise, add sliced pork and cucumber relish, and finish with the remaining cilantro.
Chef Tips
- Tamarind concentrate varies in strength, so taste the glaze before adding it to the pan.
- Slice the pork across the grain for tender, easy-to-bite pieces.
- Toast the bread just before serving so it keeps its crunch.
- Add thinly sliced jalapeno to the relish for extra heat.
Cook's Notes
- **Pork:** Thin cutlets cook quickly, so have the glaze ready before the skillet gets hot.
- **Relish:** Drain excess cucumber liquid if it sits longer than 10 minutes.
- **Bread:** A sturdy baguette holds the juicy topping better than soft sandwich bread.