Larb Moo (Thai Pork Salad)

Larb Moo comes from the Isaan region of Thailand, and it's proof that a salad can be one of the most exciting things on the table. Minced pork is quickly cooked then tossed through a dressing of lime juice, fish sauce and chilli, with a generous handful of mint, coriander and spring onion folded through at the end.

The real signature touch is toasted rice powder, khao khua, which adds a nutty crunch and helps soak up the tangy dressing. It sounds like a small thing but it completely changes the texture of the dish.

Serve it warm with sticky rice and crisp lettuce cups for scooping, it's fresh, punchy and ready in well under half an hour.

Servings
4
Prep Time
15
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Cook Time
15
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Ingredients
12
Total Time
30
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Pantry bits

  • Dry frying pan
  • Mortar and pestle or spice grinder
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Serving plate

Ingredients

  • 500g pork mince
  • 2 tablespoons uncooked jasmine rice
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 red shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2-4 red chillies, finely sliced
  • 1/4 cup mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup coriander leaves
  • 2 spring onions, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons water or chicken stock
  • Sticky rice and lettuce leaves, to serve

Instructions

  1. Toast the uncooked rice in a dry frying pan over medium heat, shaking often, until golden brown and fragrant. Cool slightly, then grind to a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
  2. Heat a splash of water or stock in a frying pan or saucepan over medium-high heat and add the pork mince, breaking it up as it cooks.
  3. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring, until the pork is just cooked through, then remove from the heat.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
  5. Add the warm pork, shallots and half the chillies to the bowl and toss well to coat in the dressing.
  6. Fold through the toasted rice powder, mint, coriander and spring onion, reserving a little of each for garnish.
  7. Taste and adjust with extra lime, fish sauce or chilli as needed.
  8. Pile onto a plate, scatter with the reserved herbs and remaining chilli, and serve with sticky rice and lettuce leaves for scooping.

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