| Most Laotians eat rice three times a day. The
most common type is "sticky rice," which can be rolled into a ball with
the fingers and dipped into a sauce. Occasionally, people eat noodles rather
than rice. Padek or fermented fish paste is an ingredient in many
Laotian dishes. Hot chilis are also added to foods. The amount of chili
used varies with the different Laotian ethnic groups. Other common seasonings
are lime juice, lemon grass and coriander leaves.
A typical Laotian meal consists of rice,
fish, vegetables and hot peppers. The menu for festive occasions may also
include eggs, poultry, beef or game. Vegetables include corn, cassava,
white radish, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers. Papaya is the most popular
fruit. Bananas, oranges, berries and groundnuts (peanuts) are also eaten
frequently. |
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| A common Lao dish is called laap. It is
a mixture of meat or fish and lime juice, garlic, rice, green onions, mint
and chilis. Laotians also enjoy salads made with shredded green papaya,
seasoned with padek and chilis.
Families enjoy socializing during the evening
meal. People take off their shoes and leave them outside the eating area.
Food is served on a bamboo tray. Everyone sits cross-legged in a circle
and the food is placed in the centre. Men sit on one side and women on
the other. Food is usually eaten with the fingers. Laotians drink tea and
coffee, both of which grow in Laos. People may also drink a type of whisky
made out of rice called lao lao or rice wine called khao kam. |
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Did you know? |
| There
is no refrigeration in most of Laos, so all meals must be freshly prepared.
Mint is used in most food preparation to keep food fresh. |
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Laap (Good Fortune) |
| Ingredients
425 g beef
Juice of 1 lemon
or lime
2-3 tsp. fish
sauce
1-2 tsp. fried
ground rice (available at Asian food stores)
Salt and black
pepper to taste
5-6 mint leaves,
minced
1 garlic clove,
chopped
1 parsley sprig,
minced
1 green onion,
chopped
2-3 fresh chili
peppers, diced
Preparation
Sauté
beef lightly in oil. Slice into small pieces and put into a large bowl.
Add lemon or lime juice and combine. Add fish sauce and ground rice and
mix. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, add mint, garlic,
parsley, green onions and chilis. |
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Did you know? |
| A
Laotian delicacy is the meat from snakes such as the python. People in
rural areas may also cook the meat of wild animals, such as deer, squirrels,
civets or lizards. |
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