Spicy Meat Lalad I Larb


Spicy meat salad
, also known as Larb (ลาบ) in Thai cuisine, is a popular dish originating from the northeastern region of Thailand, known as Isaan. It is typically made with minced meat, fresh herbs, and a spicy, tangy dressing. Here's a simple recipe to make larb:

Ingredients

  • 250 grams of minced meat (pork, chicken, beef, or duck)
  • 1 tablespoon of roasted rice powder (khao khua)
  • 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of lime juice
  • 1-2 tablespoons of chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2-3 spring onions, chopped
  • A handful of fresh mint leaves
  • A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • A handful of fresh Thai basil (optional)
  • 1-2 tablespoons of water
  • Lettuce leaves, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the Meat:

    • In a dry pan over medium heat, add the minced meat. Cook it while stirring frequently until it’s thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. You can add a little water (1-2 tablespoons) to keep the meat moist.
  2. Prepare the Dressing:

    • In a bowl, mix the fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, and sugar (if using). Adjust the flavors to taste. The dressing should be a balance of salty, sour, and spicy.
  3. Combine Ingredients:

    • Once the meat is cooked, transfer it to a mixing bowl.
    • Add the roasted rice powder to the meat and mix well.
    • Add the sliced red onion, spring onions, mint leaves, cilantro, and Thai basil (if using). Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss everything together until well combined.
  4. Serve:

    • Serve the larb with fresh lettuce leaves. You can use the lettuce leaves to scoop up the meat mixture, or serve it alongside sticky rice or steamed rice.

Tips

  • Roasted Rice Powder: You can make this by dry roasting uncooked glutinous rice in a pan until golden brown, then grinding it into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder.
  • Adjusting Spice Levels: Larb is traditionally quite spicy, but you can adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your preference.
  • Fresh Herbs: The fresh herbs play a crucial role in giving larb its distinctive flavor. Don’t skip the mint and cilantro, and feel free to add Thai basil for extra aroma.

Enjoy your homemade larb, a delightful blend of flavors that represents the essence of Thai cuisine!

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