Laarb

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pork shoulder, or beef tenderloin
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 2 tablespoons corn, grapeseed, or other neutral oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon nam pla, or to taste (see page 500)
• Pinch of cayenne, or to taste
• Juice of 1/2 lime, or to taste
• 1 cup loosely packed mixed herbs, like cilantro, basil, mint, or Thai basil
• 1 shallot, sliced
• 1 small fresh chile, such as Thai or serrano, stemmed, seeded, and sliced, optional (use it only if you like your food very spicy)
• About 12 outer leaves of cabbage or iceberg lettuce
• 2 tablespoons Khao Koor: Ground and Toasted Rice (page 587), optional
• Lime wedges for garnish