Laab Tao | Lao Spicy Algae Salad

Laab tao is a classic and traditional Lao dish that brings you the star algae! This is a unique dish that is hard to find because algae is not available everywhere. This style of laab adds in the authentic laab seasonings like khao kua.

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Laab Tao | Lao Spicy Algae Salad

Yield: 4-6

Author: Saeng Douangdara

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinInactive time: 5 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Laab tao is a classic and traditional Lao dish that brings you the star algae! This is a unique dish that is hard to find because algae is not available everywhere. This style of laab adds in the authentic laab seasonings like khao kua.

Ingredients

• 1-½ cups fish broth
• 3 tbsp cup padaek
• ½ tsp msg
• 15oz (2 cups) algae, thao river weed
• ½ cup snails, cooked and diced
• 11oz whole tilapia, smashed
• 2 tbsp galangal, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp lemongrass, thinly slice
• 2 fresh bird eye chili, chopped
• ½ tbsp dried chili pepper
• 2 tbsp toasted rice powder
• 2 round eggplant, thinly sliced
• ½ cup long bean, sliced
• 1 small shallot , thinly sliced
• ½ cup green onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup cilantro, thinly sliced
• 6 Shrimp, cut up, optional

Instructions

1. Wash algae, put it in a strainer, then roughly chop and put it to the side
2. In a pot, add the water and bring it to a boil then blanched cooked snail for 3 mins and remove, blanch shrimp for 2-3 mins then remove, and finally add tilapia and cook for about 12-15 minutes until flakey; skim off the impurities. Remove the fish and save the water and put it to the side. Place the fish in a mortar and pestle and mash.
3. In the bowl with the water, add padaek, msg and mix. Add the algae then shop up with scissors and mix well then place it in a large mixing bowl.
4. In the mixing bowl with the algae, add the cooked snails, smashed tilapia and mix well
5. Then add the thinly sliced galangal, lemongrass, bird eye chili, dried pepper, rice powder, and mix well.
6. Then add eggplant, long bean, shallot, green onion, cilantro and mix
7. Enjoy with sticky rice

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