Awesome Thai Food

Previously we’ve gotten to present the different types of Laab, so this time it is time for Laab Neua (northern style). Ingredients and how to do are as follows.

Ingredients

• 300 grams (10 ounces) minced beef or minced buffalo meat
• 150 grams (5 ounces) organs such as liver, gut, etc.
• 1 / 2 cup fresh beef blood
• 4 Tbsp Laab curry
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 2 Tbsp Vietnamese Coriander, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp green onion and coriander, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp long coriander (spiny coriander), finely chopped
• Fresh vegetables such as long yard bean, long coriander (spiny coriander), Thai eggplants, Vietnamese Coriander, etc..

Note : Pork meat can also be used in this type of Laab depending on your taste and convenience. Therefore, fresh blood and organs have to be from pork as well. In addition, with northern Laab it is popular to put a little blood along while chopping the meat. This is considered a bit of folk wisdom, it helps to not allow the meat splash out of the chopping block while chopping.

How to do…

1. Cut the organs into the bite sized pieces. Place the pot filled with water over medium heat until it boils. When the water starts to boil, put the prepared organs into the boiling pot, scald until the organs are cooked (see how the organs are done by looking at the color if you do not see the red or pink color from it, it is ok. But do not boil them too long or they will become chewy). Turn off the heat and put them aside.

2. Prepare the Laab mixing bowl. Put the minced beef or buffalo, Laab curry and cooked organs into the bowl. Mix well. Pour fresh blood, follow with fish sauce and then stir well. Add Vietnamese Coriander, green onion, coriander and long coriander. Mix well again and taste. Add more fish sauce if it’s not salty enough.

3. Put the Laab Neua on the plate and serve with fresh vegetables as above.

Note : Laab Kua is how we turn raw Laab into cooked Laab by stir frying it. This is for people who do not like to consume raw meats most of the time. How to do, first place the pan over medium heat. Add a little bit of oil. Wait until the pan is hot and then put the prepared Laab into the pan and cook until the Laab is done. It only takes about 5-7 minutes. Some people at some place like to sprinkle Laab Kua with fried shallots and that will give a delicious taste in another form too.