Christy's Lao Isan Laap

A popular Lao Isan minced meat salad flavored with fish sauce, lime juice, padaek, roasted sticky rice and fresh herbs. Traditionally eaten with sticky rice or in a lettuce wrap.

Serves 2 (about 6 wraps)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground or minced protein of choice (recommended: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or tofu)
• 1 tbsp toasted sticky rice powder
• 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh bird eye chili, diced
• 1/3 cup mint leaves
• ⅓ cup culantro, diced 
• 1/3 cup cilantro, diced
• 1/3 cup shallots, diced
• 1/3 cup scallions, diced
• Juice of one lime
• 1 tbsp minced or powdered galangal*
• 1 tbsp padaek*
• 1 tsp dried chili flakes*
  *Optional

Cooking Instructions: 

1. In a shallow pan, toast sticky rice grains on low heat until golden brown. Remove from heat and grind in a mortar until it turns to powder (note: can also blitz in a blender)
2. Heat a large skillet to medium high, add ground protein and use 1-2 tbsp of water to prevent from burning as needed, no oil. Cook until browned.
3. In a large bowl, add the cooked protein, padaek, and fish sauce to taste. Mix gently.
4. Add chili, galangal, lime juice, shallots, and fresh herbs (mint, culantro, and cilantro) to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until everything is coated. Toss in toasted rice powder. 
5. Garnish and eat with sticky rice or as lettuce wraps.

Video Demonstration