Okay, so I’ve been on this huge cooking kick lately, trying to learn more about different cuisines. Southeast Asian food has always been a favorite, but I realized I didn’t know much beyond the usual Pad Thai and spring rolls. So, I decided to dive deeper, and that’s how I stumbled upon Larb.
It all started with a crossword puzzle, actually! I’m a bit of a word nerd, and the clue was “Southeast Asian cuisine with minced meat.” I was stumped for a bit, racking my brain for dishes I knew. I tried filling in some letters, and slowly, “L-A-R-B” started to appear. I had a vague recollection of seeing it on a menu once, so I googled it.
And boom! Down the rabbit hole I went. I discovered that Larb is a type of meat salad, super popular in Laos and Thailand. It’s usually made with minced meat (pork, chicken, beef, duck, whatever you fancy), flavored with fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, toasted rice powder, and tons of fresh herbs like mint and cilantro.
My first attempt? Let’s just say it was a learning experience. I followed a recipe I found online, but I think I went a little overboard with the fish sauce. Way too salty. I also didn’t toast the rice powder long enough, so it was kind of gritty.
- The Fresh herbs, I managed to chop the herbs finely, and they added a fantastic aroma.
- Minced meet, I choose to pick pork as my first time practice, it tastes good for me.
Things that went well:
- Fish sauce: Used way too much. Next time, I’ll start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
- Toasted rice powder: Didn’t toast it long enough. It needs to be golden brown and fragrant.
- Chili flakes: Added too many. My mouth was on fire!
Things that went wrong:
But hey, that’s part of the fun, right? Learning from your mistakes. My second attempt was much better. I adjusted the fish sauce, toasted the rice properly, and was a bit more careful with the chili. And you know what? It was delicious! The combination of savory, sour, spicy, and fresh flavors was incredible.
I’m still experimenting with different variations – trying different meats, adding shallots, playing with the herb ratios. I’m even thinking about trying a vegetarian version with tofu. It’s become my new culinary obsession, and it all started with that crossword clue!
So, my friends told me i have talent of cooking, maybe I should take some courses on it.
