Larb – Delicious George

Larb

Posted on Oct 8th, 2021

by George Christidis

Categories:

Entree

Larb is a meat salad consisting of ground meat, herbs, chilies, fish sauce, lime juice, and toasted ground rice. Larb originated in Laos, and is also eaten in areas of Thailand. It’s simply delicious!!

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup uncooked jasmine rice (or glutinous/sweet rice)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 shallots (thinly sliced; divided)

1 1/4 pound ground chicken (or Pork)

1/2 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 limes, juiced

1-2 Thai bird chilies (thinly sliced)

3 scallions (thinly sliced)

1/4 cup cilantro (roughly chopped)

1/2 cup fresh mint (roughly chopped)

salt (optional)

butter, bibb, or boston lettuce (washed and thoroughly dried; can also serve with sticky rice)

INSTRUCTIONS

In a dry wok or pan over low heat, toast the rice grains, stirring continuously until they turn golden and fragrant––about 10 minutes. Grind to a coarse powder in a mortar & pestle or spice grinder. Set aside.
Heat your wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Fry half the shallots in the oil until crispy. Remove the shallots from the wok, leaving behind any oil.
Place your wok back over high heat until smoking. Add the ground chicken. Stir-fry until the chicken is browned and crispy, and add in the sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice.
Stir-fry for another minute, and add the toasted rice powder, chilies, the rest of the raw shallots, scallions, cilantro, and mint. Stir-fry for one more minute, and then taste for seasoning, adding salt or more chili, sugar, fish sauce, and/or lime juice to your taste if needed.
Serve in lettuce cups topped with the reserved crispy shallots.