Lemongrass Meat Patties (Cambodian Style Vermicelli Bowls)

This is one of my go-to recipes when it comes to meal prep ! I love using ground turkey because of its high protein content, but you can also substitute with ground chicken, fish, beef, pork, or even tofu ! Kroeung is a traditional seasoning paste used in a lot of Cambodian dishes— it adds a beautiful aroma of zest, spice, and umami ! Today i’m teaching you how I make my patties and how I pair them with a classic vermicelli salad . If you try these patties out, let me know what you think ! I love seeing your foodie photos (:

What you’ll need:

Servings: 4-6

• 2 pounds ground turkey

• 2 eggs

• mortar and pestle

• 6 garlic cloves

• 4 green onions stem ends (you can also just use rough chopped green onions)

• 4 tbsp minced lemongrass

• 2-4 thai chilis (optional for spice)

• 1 tbsp chicken buillion powder

• 1 tbsp fish sauce

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp white pepper

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tsp turmeric (optional for color)

• salt

• cucumber slices

• chopped romaine lettuce

• vermicelli noodles

• ultimate dipping sauce

• cilantro

Instructions:

1. First, make the seasoning paste by adding garlic, lemongrass, green onion stems, and Thai chilies (optional if you prefer less spice) to a mortar and pestle. Pound until it forms a smooth paste.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey with the seasoning paste. Add chicken bouillon, fish sauce, oyster sauce, honey, white pepper, salt, and an egg. You can also add turmeric for a hint of orange color. Mix everything well.

3. Take a spoonful of the mixture and shape it into patties with your hands. Repeat until all patties are formed.

4. Air Fryer Method: Cook the patties in an air fryer at 375°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer.

5. Pan Frying Method: Heat some olive oil in a shallow pan. Once hot, place the patties in the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden. Check that they reach 165°F inside by using a meat thermometer.

6. Transfer the cooked patties to a serving dish and garnish with finely chopped green onions.

7. Serve and enjoy with cucumber over rice, as a lettuce wrap with dipping sauce, or in a vermicelli salad bowl!

Enjoy with a vermicelli salad:

1. Once turkey patties are cooked through, assemble vermicelli bowl.

2. Boil vermicelli noodles based off packaged instructions. Drain and rinse well .

3. Add some vermicelli noodles to a serving bowl, and add in thinly sliced romaine lettuce .

4. Drizzle some ultimate dipping sauce on top and mix well to combine .

5. Layer in sliced cucumbers, lemongrass meat patties, slice green onions, chopped cilantro, and ENJOY !