Laphet (pickled tea leaves) is deeply ingrained in our culinary traditions and holds a special place in our hearts and palates. Apart from enjoying Laphet as a salad, there are also other ways to savour its authentic taste. In this article, we will share easy yet delicious Laphet-infused dishes with unique twists.
Fried Pickled Tea Leaves Salad (Laphet Kyaw)
If you love pickled tea leaves salad (Laphet thoke) but want to try a new dish, give Fried Pickled Tea Leaves Salad a try. To prepare it, begin by washing the tea leaves to remove the bitterness. Once that's done, toss them with a pinch of salt, fresh garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli in a bowl. Then, deep-fry the mixture until it becomes crispy. You can also enjoy it with cabbages, tomatoes, and assorted fried items. Serve this as a side dish or tea time snack with a hot bowl of tea, perfect for rainy days.
This photo is entirely credited to Ei San's Homemade Inspiration
Pork and Laphet Curry
"Of all the meats, pork is the best. Of all the leaves, tea leaf is the best."
Like the Burmese saying, we can indulge in the rich and aromatic flavours of pork and Laphet curry. This comforting dish brings together tender chunks of pork, pickled tea leaves (laphet), onion, garlic, ginger, chilli, and lime. Blend the onion, garlic, ginger, and garlic first. Toss the tea leaves, chilli, and lime juice together. Fry the garlic mixture, turmeric powder, and chilli powder first. Then add the chunks of pork and stir-fry for around 3 minutes. Add hot water and salt as seasoning. Simmer the curry with low heat for 30 minutes until the meat is tender. When the meat is cooked well, \add the \tea leaves mixture to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. Once it's done, serve it with steamed rice.
Spicy Laphet Chicken Curry
For those who prefer a touch of heat, Spicy Laphet Chicken Curry is a mouthwatering choice. This hot and spicy dish combines moist chicken pieces with pickled tea leaves, tomatoes, onions, and an assortment of spices such as chilli powder and ginger. Firstly, clean the chicken pieces and marinate them with fish sauce, sugar, and chicken powder. Fry the finely chopped garlic and onion in hot oil. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for a while. When the chicken is seared on the surface, add the tomato pieces, chilli peppers, pickled tea leaves, and a cup of water. Add fish sauce and sugar for seasoning and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the aroma of the pickled tea leaves is fragrant. For a finishing touch, garnish with scallions. It is guaranteed to please your taste buds. Enjoy it with steamed coconut rice, palatha, or baked naan.
Laphet Beef Stew
If you run out of ideas on how to cook beef, here's a recipe for you– Laphet Beef Stew. First, marinate the beef chunks with salt, yoghurt, diced ginger, garlic, onion, turmeric powder, and salt and leave for 15 minutes. Then, heat the oil and fry the onions until golden brown. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry until the meat juices dry up. Then add a little bit of water and simmer over low heat until the meat is tender. When the meat becomes soft, add Laphet and salt for seasoning. Once the dish shows some oil on the surface, cover it with parsley and it's ready to be served.
Sour and Spicy Mutton Laphet Salad
Laphet isn't only for curries; it also adds a special touch to salads. The Sour and Spicy Mutton Laphet Salad is a tangy and flavourful dish that combines boiled marinated mutton with Laphet, lime juice, and a mix of spices. The tender mutton and tangy Laphet come together to create a delicious blend of flavours that will leave you wanting more. This salad is perfect for those looking for a lighter yet satisfying meal. You can also enjoy it with a cup of hot tea or a can of beer.
With these recipes, you can see that laphet is more than just an ingredient. If you are looking for cost-effective yet delicious meals, pick up some of the mentioned ingredients at your nearest Ocean supermarket and try cooking these dishes at home!
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