Larb is traditional Thai comfort food. The mint adds a clean jolt of flavor to this casserole-type meal. My cousin Abi lived in Thailand for a time and helped me fine-tune my version of this classic dish. Typically, the meat and rice are served over raw cabbage, but we think this style is pretty tasty as well. You can use serrano, Anaheim, or almost any other kind of chile pepper if you can’t find a jalapeño. Of course, your meal will be as spicy as your chile. Consider adding 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil or cilantro to the mint mixture for a slightly different taste.

　　

Ingredients

serves 2

　　Canola oil spray

　　1 cup jasmine rice

　　1 cup broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) or water

　　Grated zest of 1 lime (about 1 tablespoon)

　　Grated zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)

　　1/4 cup fresh lime juice

　　1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

　　1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce

　　1 tablespoon rice vinegar

　　1 1/2 teaspoons light brown sugar

　　1 teaspoon minced jalapeño chile

　　1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

　　2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped

　　1/2 red or orange bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced

　　1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

　　1/2 to 3/4 pound ground meat (beef, poultry, or pork)

　　1/4 head green cabbage, chopped (about 2 cups)

　　1 cup snow peas

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

　　

Step 2

Spray the inside and lid of a cast-iron Dutch oven with canola oil.

　　

Step 3

Rinse the rice in a strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. Tip the rice into the pot, add the liquid, and stir to make an even layer.

　　

Step 4

In a medium bowl, combine the lime and lemon zest, lime and lemon juice, fish sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, jalapeño, red pepper flakes, scallions, bell pepper, and mint. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Add the meat to the mixture and stir with a fork to break up the meat and incorporate the mint mixture throughout.

　　

Step 5

Drop forkfuls of the meat mixture into the pot, arranging them evenly but without packing them together.

　　

Step 6

Add a thick layer of cabbage and top with the snow peas.

　　

Step 7

Cover and bake for 45 minutes, or until 3 minutes after the aroma of a fully cooked meal escapes the oven. Serve immediately.

　　

nutrition information

Step 8

Calories: 652

　　

Step 9

Protein: 35g

　　

Step 10

Carbohydrates: 81g

　　

Step 11

Fat: 21g

　　

Step 12

Cholesterol: 99mg

　　

Step 13

Sodium: 123mg

　　

Step 14

Fiber: 4g

　　Glorious One-Pot Meals