Good Larb!

Oh Larb...where to begin. The delicious Thai tofu salad with the unattractive name

Every place that offers the dish has their own recipe. My favorite larb comes from Bloomington Indiana's Esan Thai Restaurant, and few have lived up to their version...especially in Los Angeles. Recently though, the Jazzpanther found a terrific version of the dish at a little spot right on Sunset Blvd called Mae Ploy. 

Really, really great flavor and texture. The shallots aren't as prominently pronounced, but as a whole, it's fairly light and compares in most every respect to the Esan Thai style that we have been deeply missing. 

The other menu items i've tasted are also rad, so it seems like a good deal across the board...except soup. I've heard the soup isn't...good.

but...

Larb!

"jazz panther tofu salad"

To celebrate the house un-arresting of Aung San Suu Kyi, and to celebrate the fact that i eat this all the time, i give you j. shelley harrison’s “Jazz Panther Tofu Salad”.

Back in the day, in the quiet, mid-western, liberal stronghold that is Bloomington, Indiana, the Jazz Panther, j. shelley harrison operated a Burmese restaurant called “Burmese Jim’s”. involves a long story, but the point is that she maintains all the recipes from the now defunct eatery in her warm, capable brain.

As a result of our terrifyingly powerful love for one another, which allows us to live in the same domicile, i get to enjoy these dishes all the time!

This salad is one that evolved from one the Burmese Jim’s originals, so it’s pretty fresh on the menu here at the studio. It seems to combine the Burmese Jim’s Tofu Salad with romaine lettuce in a type of Thai Larb variation.

The inclusion of tamarind really sets things off with that type of tangy-ness, and the cilantro garnish works through as one works through the dish.

Eating this feels both exciting and healthy. Good work Jazz Panther!

Ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce

Bok Choy

Green Cabbage

Carrots

Sweet Bell Peppers

Fresh Garlic

Fried Tofu

Tamarind

Crushed Peanuts

Toi Phi (Fried Garlic)

Lime Juice

Lemon Juice

Sriracha Hot Sauce

Spanish Paprika

Cayenne Pepper

Salt

Sugar

Tomatoes (optional)

top/garnish with cilantro.