Cha Lua Thai Pork In Banana Leaves Recipes

PORK TERRINE BAGUETTE: BANH MI CHA LUA

Steps:

• Fry the salt in a dry wok for a few minutes until aromatic. Place the pork, fish sauce and salt in a food processor and pulse until it forms a very fine paste. Soak the banana leaf in water for 5 minutes, dry and lay it flat on a bench. Cut the leaf in 1/2 and cross 1 piece over the other. Place the pork paste in the center and draw up all sides to form a tight parcel. Secure with string and cook in simmering salted water 1 hour. Allow to cool, remove the banana leaf and slice the pork and place into baguettes together with cucumber, coriander, spring onions, chile, pinch of salt and pepper and light soy sauce.

YUCATAN PORK BAKED IN BANANA LEAVES: COCHINITA PIBIL

Steps:

• Run the banana leaves under warm water for about 5 minutes to defrost. Line a medium baking dish with the banana leaves.
• Combine the achiote paste, garlic, vinegar, orange juice, and salt in a blender until smooth. In a large bowl, rub the achiote mixture into the meat. Place the meat in the prepared baking dish. Wrap the meat with banana leaves. Cover container and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• After meat has marinated, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Add 1 cup water to the baking dish. Bake the meat until fork tender, about 2 hours.
• Serve wrapped meat on a bed of steamed white rice with Marinated Red Onions and Habanero Salsa on the side. Alternatively, remove meat from banana leaves and wrap in fresh, warm tortillas with Marinated Red Onions and Habanero Salsa on top.
• In a dry skillet, lightly toast the habanero chiles. Stem, seed, and roughly chop the peppers. Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a small serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHA LUA (THAI PORK IN BANANA LEAVES)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350* F.
• Finely chop the green onion and garlic. Mix all the ingredients (except leaves) together, and divide into 6 equal pieces.
• Cut the banana leaves into 6 squares, about 9"x9". Shape a portion of the meat into a patty, and place in the center of a leaf piece. Fold the sides over the patty, then fold the ends up. Repeat with remaining meat.
• Place patties on a rack or pan in the oven, and bake for 20-30 minutes until meat reaches 160* F. My 6 patties took 25 minutes to reach 160* F.