Place 15 or more garlic cloves in a food chopper or mini food processor. Pulse lightly to prevent the garlic from getting too fine.
Heat a non-stick skillet with oil over medium-low heat. Add chopped garlic and stir continuously until the garlic develops some color. Don't step away from the pan, the garlic can burn quickly. Once the garlic develops a golden color, drain it using a strainer under a cup or bowl. Save the oil, this is a garlic-infused oil.
Paste
For the mortar method, add garlic, cilantro stems, and whole peppercorns. Pound all the ingredients together until a paste forms. Set aside until you start cooking the pork.
If you don't have a mortar or molcajete, then place the ingredients in a food chopper and pulse. You can add a splash of water to get things going, if needed.
Pork Marinade
In a medium bowl, add sliced pork 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. This can also be done ahead of time and kept overnight in the refrigerator.
Cooking the Pork
Add a tablespoon of garlic oil to the same pan you cooked the garlic in. Over medium-high heat, add the pork and cook until halfway done.
Add the paste to the pork and stir to combine. Then add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
In the mortar add a quarter cup of water and swish it around to get all the leftover bits. Pour that into the pan with the pork.
Once the pork is fully cooked, taste to see if additional seasoning is needed. Add pork to a serving plate and top with the crispy fried garlic.
Garnish the Moo Kratiem with some cilantro stems and serve with Jasmine rice. You can also serve with a side of steamed broccoli or another vegetable.
Video
Notes
If you do not have a mortar or molcajete, then use ground black or white pepper along with finely chopped cilantro stems and garlic.Leftover moo kratiem can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. This makes a great meal prep option, portion out rice and the pork in containers and reheat in the microwave.More Thai Stir Fry Recipes:Basil Stir FryChicken with GingerRed Curry Stir Fry
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and depends on ingredients and amounts used. Thai Caliente makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.