Nyob Zoo Foodies!
Today, I’ll be showing you all a very delightful and simple bamboo shoots larb/laab. Yes! Bamboo laab! 🙂 When it comes to laab, there’s so many ways to make it. You have a variety of herbs you can mix & match as well as all types of seasonings and spices you can add. Laab can be made with any kind of protein. However, I’ll be showing you all a very simple bamboo shoots laab version since I grew up eating it this way. My mom would make this dish for us during summer time and was always such a delight to eat. It’s quite easy to make and also great for those looking to eat a little bit lighter. I usually eat this as a side dish with rice and grilled meat. I especially love this with fried pork and or crispy pork belly. It’s so good! 🙂 Let me know what you like to add into your larb/laab! 🙂
Larb: Most common term used in the States What you should be saying: LAAB or LAAP or LAJ [we don’t pronounce or use the “r”] But since a lot of you know this dish as Larb, I refer to it as that. But be mindful that we don’t pronounce or use the “r”!
Main Ingredients
Bamboo shoot tips
Boil in a flavored stock to cook out the slight bitterness 
Drain and cool well after cooking
Shred the bamboo with a bamboo skewer
The dressing
The herbs
Cilantro, green onions, culantro, and shallots
Mix mix and enjoy! 
Eat with your favorite meat and yum!
Ingredients
- 1 pound bamboo shoot tips [I used singing bird brand] (rinsed)
- ---VEGETABLE STOCK---
- 4 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 onion (rough cut)
- 4 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 3 cilantro roots or stems
- 1/2 tsp crushed white peppercorns
- ---DRESSING---
- 1/2 tsp chili powder or fresh chili peppers(add more if desire)
- 1 ½ TBSP of fish sauce
- 1 ½ tsp of chicken bouillon powder
- 1 TBSP of lime juice
- 2 Garlic (finely minced)
- 2 lemongrass (minced or slice)
- OPTIONAL: Padaek (I usually don't like to add padaek in my cooking, but you have the option to)
- ---HERBS---
- 1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 1 cup green onion (slice)
- 1/2 cup culantro (chopped)
- 1 shallots (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons of toasted rice powder
- OPTIONAL: Basil, Mint, Dill, etc
Instructions
1) In a pot, add in 4 cups of water and all the stock herbs and seasonings. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2) While the stock is simmering, drain and rinse the bamboo shoots. Then cut each shoot in half. After the stock has simmer for 10 minutes, add in the bamboo shoots and let it cook out for another 10 minutes. Then drain and let it cool.
3) While the bamboo shoots are cooling down, make the dressing. Mix everything for the dressing together in a bowl. Taste and adjust.
4) Once the bamboo shoots are cooled, take each shoot and place it on a cutting board. Then take a bamboo skewer using the tip side and start shredding the bamboo. If you notice the bamboo has some tough parts, you can shred away from the tough part and then cut it away after shredding the tender parts. Continue until all the bamboo is shredded.
5) Add the shredded bamboo into the dressing along with all the herbs and the toasted rice powder. Mix well and taste to adjust the seasoning. You have the freedom to add other herbs and spices at this point. Serve with white rice and grilled meat and enjoy! 🙂
Notes
Add other seasonings and herbs if you desire to do so. Other proteins can be added into this salad as well. This dish is super versatile.
