Thai Pork Larb Recipes

PORK LARB (THAI SALAD WITH PORK, HERBS, CHILI, AND TOASTED RICE POWDER) RECIPE

Steps:

• Place meat on a tray leaving a one inch space between each cube and place in freezer until firm but not frozen, about fifteen minutes. Transfer half of meat to bowl of food processor and pulse until meat is roughly ground and no pieces larger than 1/4-inch remain, about 10 one-second pulses. Transfer meat to a bowl. Repeat with remaining meat. Set aside.
• While meat chills, place rice in an empty 12-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat shaking constantly until rice is golden brown and a nutty popcorn-like aroma emerges, about 6 minutes. Transfer to mortar and pestle and grind until it has the texture of cracked black pepper. Alternatively, grind in a spice grinder. Set aside.
• Add oil and shallots to now-empty skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until shallots are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain shallots and discard oil but do not wipe out pan.
• Add pork, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, and 2 tablespoons water to pan. Cook, stirring frequently until pork is just cooked through but not browned at all, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool five minutes. Add remaining fish sauce, scallions, basil, cilantro, mint, half of chili, lime juice, sugar, and toasted rice powder. Toss with hands and taste for seasoning, adding more chili if higher heat is desired.
• Just before serving, add fried shallots and toss again. Granish with pork rinds and chili. Serve immediately with cabbage or lettuce on the side.

THAI PORK LARB WRAP

Steps:

• Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Add the pork and stir until pork is fully cooked. Turn off the stove, then drain out and discard the juices.
• Add lime juice, fish sauce, rice powder, sugar and the powdered chili pepper. Using a wooden spoon, stir and mix until the pork is evenly seasoned. Add the red and white onion, cilantro and green onion, lime leaf and lemongrass. Using the wooden spoon, stir and mix until everything is evenly proportioned. This is the "larb."
• Heat the tortilla in a hot pan until both sides are nice and soft. Lay out the tortilla on a cutting board, spread the mayonnaise on top and add "larb" right in the center of the tortilla. Wrap it up like a burrito. Serve, and you have yourself a nice, healthy lunch.