Vegetable oil or shortening
1/2 lb. lean ground pork
3 eggs
2 tbsp. fish sauce
1 tbsp. fresh coriander roots and leaves, finely chopped
1 tsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. white pepper
6 thin slices homemade-type white bread, crusts trimmed and cut into fourths
2 sm. sweet gherkins, cut crosswise into 1/8" thick rounds

Pour oil into a deep fryer or large heavy saucepan to a depth of 2" or 3" and heat the oil until it reaches a temperature of 375 degrees on a deepfrying thermometer. Combine pork, eggs, fish sauce, coriander, parsley and white pepper in a mixing bowl and beat vigorously with a spoon until the ingredients are well blended. With a small metal spatula or table knife, spread about 1 tablespoon of the pork mixture on each bread square, mounding it slightly in the center.

Drop 5 or 6 of the bread squares at a time into the hot oil, pork side up, and fry them for about 5 minutes. Turn them gently with a slotted spatula and fry for 2 minutes longer, or until no traces of pink remain in the pork and the bread is golden brown and crisp. Gently press a gherkin round into the center of each square to garnish the pork. Serve hot. Makes 24 squares. Enjoy!