Fragrant Laotian Or Lam Soup with Bitter Herbs and Beef

Name: Fragrant Laotian Or Lam Soup with Bitter Herbs and Beef
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef chuck; 4 cups beef broth; 2 lemongrass stalks; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 cloves garlic; 3 shallots; 1-inch piece ginger; 1 tbsp toasted sticky rice powder; 1 cup Pak Wan (Phak Wan Pa) leaves; 1/2 cup pea sprouts; 4 kaffir lime leaves; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tsp chili powder; Salt and pepper

A traditional Laotian stew bursting with aromatic herbs and tender beef.

This spicy and fragrant Laotian stew features succulent beef, the bite of bitter herbs, and the comforting depth of sticky rice — a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any dinner gathering.

1 h 45 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Soup Base

2 lbs beef chuck

cut into 1-inch cubes

4 cups beef broth

homemade or low-sodium store-bought

2 lemongrass stalks

trimmed and smashed

1 cinnamon stick

For the Herbal Paste

4 cloves garlic

minced

3 shallots

finely chopped

1-inch piece ginger

peeled and sliced

1 tbsp toasted sticky rice powder

homemade or store-bought

For the Bitter Herbs

1 cup Pak Wan (Phak Wan Pa) leaves

washed

1/2 cup pea sprouts

washed

4 kaffir lime leaves

torn

For the Spicing

2 tbsp fish sauce

1 tsp chili powder

Salt and pepper

to taste

Preparation

Marinating the Beef

Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine beef with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and half of the garlic.

Marinate

Let it marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Prepare Paste

Meanwhile, prepare the herbal paste.

Preparing the Herbal Paste

Grind Ingredients

Grind garlic, shallots, ginger, and sticky rice powder into a fine paste using a mortar and pestle.

Toast sticky rice before grinding to add an extra layer of nuttiness to your paste.

Set Aside

Set aside the paste for later use.

Gather Herbs

Gather and prepare herbs as described.

Be sure to smash the lemongrass to release its oils for maximum flavor.

Cooking Process

Brown the Beef

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the marinated beef cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove and set aside.

Timing: Browning: 10 min. Heat: Medium-high.

Build the Base

In the same pot, add the cinnamon stick, lemongrass, and herbal paste. Cook until fragrant.

Simmer the Soup

Return beef to the pot, add the broth, lime leaves, and bring to a gentle simmer for 1 hour or until beef is tender.

Timing: Simmering: 1 h. Heat: Low.

Plating & Serving