Cha Lua (Thai Pork in Banana Leaves)

May 20, 2023May 20, 20230 13
Thai Cha Lua - Thai Pork in Banana Leaves recipe
in Thai

Prep

40 min

Cook

30 min

Ready In

70 min

Level

Medium

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 -2 teaspoon five-spice powder , to taste
2 green onions
2 garlic cloves , crushed
1 lb ground pork
1 egg
1 -2 large banana leaf
salt and pepper

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
4
Calories
413
Sugar
2g
Fat
31g
Cha Lua is a popular Thai snack that originated in Southeast Asia. This dish consists of a mix of pork, spices, and herbs wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed or grilled. The dish's name, Cha Lua, means sausage, but it's not a classic sausage as we know it. Instead, it's more like a meatloaf wrapped in a banana leaf. Cha Lua is often enjoyed as a snack by Thai locals, but it can also be served as part of a meal, usually with rice and other vegetables on the side. This dish is perfect for those who love Thai food and are looking to explore more traditional Thai snacks.

Instructions

1.In a mixing bowl, whisk together fish sauce, oil, sugar, and five-spice powder.
2.Add green onions and garlic to the mixing bowl, and mix everything well.
3.Add the ground pork and whisked egg to the mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
4.Cut the banana leaf into 10 inch squares and lightly toast them over a gas flame to help them to be more pliable.
5.Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto the center of each banana leaf square.
6.Wrap the banana leaves up around the mixture to make a tight package ensuring the meat mixture is sealed inside.
7.Grill or steam the banana leaf wrapped meat packages for 25-30 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked.

PROS

Thai Cha Lua is a delicious and aromatic dish that can be enjoyed alone or with other Thai dishes.

The pork is tender, juicy, and flavorful, with a sweet and savory taste that’s sure to impress your guests.

The banana leaf imparts a subtle smokey flavor to the meat, and it also helps to keep the meat moist.

This dish is also relatively easy to make, once you have all the ingredients.

This dish can be served as a snack, appetizer, or as part of a meal.

CONS

Cha Lua can be high in fat and sodium depending on the ingredient’s quality and quantity used in the recipe.

Banana leaves can sometimes be difficult to find in some supermarkets if you live outside of Southeast Asia.

Cha Lua takes some time and finesse to wrap and cook properly, making it a bit more time-consuming than other Thai dishes.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this dish may not be the healthiest, it does contain some essential nutrients such as protein and iron.
The five-spice powder has antioxidant properties and may help in reducing inflammation.
Garlic also contains antioxidants that can help to promote heart health and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Using banana leaves for cooking can add to the dish’s antioxidants as well.

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