Crazy for Laarb

[CathyZ]

I love Thai food. Pat from T.O. cooked some for us when we visited recently and gave me the recipe. I have only been home a week or so but have already made it twice. You may not know this name for it but there are similar dishes called Laab and Laap. I am still dieting (staying away from all things white) and always looking for flavorful dishes to cook- this one is a winner:

LAARB (LAAB, LAAP)

(serves 4)

1 lb ground chicken or turkey

1-1/2 T garlic, minced

3 green Thai chilies, chopped finely

3 T sesame oil

1 T oyster sauce

1 T fish sauce

¼ c soy sauce

1 T seasoned rice vinegar

1/3 c fresh basil, chopped

2 limes- juiced

1 small red onion, chopped

1 head lettuce for wrapping, cleaned and pulled apart

Saute garlic and chilies in sesame oil. Add chicken or turkey and cook 2 min. Add rest of ingredients except for onions, lime juice and basil. Cook until done. Add onions and lime juice and cook to soften the onion. Add basil at the end.

Serve with these condiments: chopped Thai chilies in seasoned rice vinegar, chopped onion, fresh basil leaves, fresh mint leaves.

To eat: take a lettuce leaf and mound some Larb filling on it. Add condiments of your choice then wrap up in a “bundle” and eat.

 

[CathyZ]

...and serve it with Pat's Cilantro Coconut Rice

...of course if you are avoiding carbs like me you probably won't make this but it is perfectly delicious.

PAT’S CILANTRO COCONUT RICE (serves 6)

1-1/2 c brown Basmati rice (I use white Jasmine rice)
½ c sweetened shredded coconut, toasted in the oven
1 T fresh gingerroot, chopped
1 T jalapeno pepper with seeds, chopped
3 T vegetable oil
3 c chicken broth
1 can coconut milk
salt
1 c (packed) cilantro leaves, chopped
½ c onion, chopped
1 T lime juice (more to taste)

If using brown rice, wash and soak 30 minutes. Cook ginger and jalapeno in oil until fragrant. Add rice and sauté 2 minutes. Add salt to taste. Add broth and coconut milk and cook covered until liquid is absorbed. Fluff rice.

Meanwhile process together: oil, coconut, lime juice, cilantro, onions and a bit of salt. Mix this into the rice and serve.

 

[rvb]

thanks cathy. i'm on a thai kick too.

 

[marilynfl]

so...did she add "toasted ground nuts" which is some spice and apparently not

"toasted ground nuts"?

Cause I LOVE this stuff, but live over an hour from home if I buy it near work. The last time I asked them not to dress it as the lettuce wilts. The man explained that the seasoning is done when the chicken is cooked, but he could put the spice in a separate container as that item caused the lettuce to wilt.

It's very salty, tan in color...I have no idea what it is. Everyone in the restaurant just kept calling it "ground nuts" but then would say, "Not peanut"

 

[rvb]

i bet this would make a stuffed cabbage recipe, too.

small cabbage rolls served with dolmades in horses doovers. also pencil thin asparagus spears marinated then steamed in rice wine, ginger and sugar then wrapped in prosciutto.
cherry romatoes filled with pesto and stuffed with mascarpone (oddly enough mars is not part of its pronunciation), st andre or devonshire cream. silver dollar sized crabcakes. brown paper packages wrapped up in Capellini.

i gotta stop. i just can't take any more.

 

[CathyZ]

No but I might know what it is....

I ran across a similar recipe in a cookbook that called for toasted rice ground into a powder along with toasted pumpkin seeds- add salt and it might be what you are thinking of.

 

[marilynfl]

You're right...they weren't saying nuts...they were saying "toasted rice" but then

I said: "You mean you toast the rice and grind it" and they said "No, it's not rice. It's a spice. We just called it "ground rice".

Very confusing, but very tasty, none the less..

 

[angak]

toasted ground rice and ground pumpkin seeds. Now, who thinks up these condiment combinations??

 

[debbie_in_ga]

WOW does this look good! Thanks! (I'm a larb-lover, too!)

 

[richard-in-cincy]

Cathy thank you!

I've been in a rut thinking about food for the weekend (grill or pizza??? family picnic on Monday...) This sounds absolutely amazing and I can't wait to try it. Will pick up the ingredients on the way home from the office tomorrow.

 

[CathyZ]

you betcha- and if you have trouble finding the Thai peppers, sub red Jalapenos and some Serranos

 

[rvb]

if you can't find thai hots, say the word and i'll get you your heart's desire (of thai hots).

 

[lin_in_seattle]

Thanks! I love larb and this is the best recipe for it I've seen yet!

 

[barb_b]

Intriguiging idea marinating the asparagus and steaming in Rice Wine, ginger and sugar. (m)

have you made it this way? I never marinate my asparagus. Sounds good!!

Thanks!
Regards,
Barb

 

[rvb]

yes i have and yes it is.