Careme

Ingredients

• Kroger® Ground Pork (on sale) 12 oz $3.99 / 16 oz
• Green Asparagus (on sale) 12 oz, woody ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces $2.99 / 1 lb
• Organic Ginger Root 1 tbsp, finely grated $5.99 / lb
• Organic Garlic 2 cloves, finely minced $6.99 / lb
• Organic Long English Cucumber (optional quick side) 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced $3.99 / 1 ct
• Cooked rice (not in sale list) 1 cup dry jasmine or long-grain rice (makes ~3 cups cooked)
• Soy sauce (not in sale list) 2 tbsp
• Hoisin sauce (not in sale list) 2 1/2 tbsp
• Rice vinegar or lime juice (not in sale list) 1 tbsp
• Chili garlic sauce or sriracha (not in sale list) 1–2 tsp, to taste
• Toasted sesame oil (not in sale list) 1 tsp
• Neutral oil (not in sale list) 1–2 tbsp
• Cornstarch (not in sale list) 1 tsp
• Water (not in sale list) 1/4 cup
• Salt & black pepper (not in sale list) to taste
• Sesame seeds and/or scallions (not in sale list, optional) for finishing

Instructions

1. Prep the rice: rinse 1 cup dry rice until water runs mostly clear. Cook with 1 3/4 cups water and a pinch of salt (or per your rice cooker).
2. Prep the veg: trim and discard woody ends from 12 oz asparagus; cut into 2-inch pieces. Optional: thinly slice 1/2 English cucumber for a quick crunchy side.
3. Make the sauce: in a small bowl whisk 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 1/2 tbsp hoisin, 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lime), 1–2 tsp chili garlic sauce, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water. Set aside.
4. Sear the pork: heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. Add 12 oz ground pork, season with black pepper and a small pinch of salt. Cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through.
5. Aromatics: push pork to one side; add 1 more tsp oil if pan is dry. Add 1 tbsp grated ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves; stir 20–30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Stir-fry asparagus: add the 12 oz asparagus. Toss and cook 3–5 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender (splash in 1–2 tbsp water if needed to steam-finish).
7. Glaze: re-whisk sauce, pour into the pan, and toss 1–2 minutes until glossy and thickened and everything is coated.
8. Serve: spoon over cooked rice. Finish with sesame seeds and/or sliced scallions if you have them. Optional quick cucumber side: toss sliced cucumber with a pinch of salt + a splash of rice vinegar and serve alongside.