Isaan Sausage

Step 1

Place a 10-inch skillet over medium heat and wait 1 minute for it to warm through.

Step 2

Lay the sausage in the skillet and listen for a steady, even sizzle—you should hear the sausage making light crackling sounds.

Step 3

Cook the sausage for 4 minutes without moving it, letting the bottom develop a deep brown crust the color of chocolate.

Step 4

Gently roll the sausage with two forks so a different side now faces down, and cook for another 4 minutes until that side is also golden-brown.

Step 5

Check that the sausage is cooked through by cutting it open at the thickest part—the meat inside should be pale gray with no pink.

Step 6

Transfer the sausage to a cutting board and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, letting it soak into the meat.

Step 7

Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from both halves directly over the sausage.

Step 8

Scatter the chopped cilantro, sliced chili, and shallot rings on top of the sausage in a pile, creating a colorful garnish.

Step 9

Slide the sausage onto a plate and serve immediately while it is still warm.