Nam Van Recipe and How To Make Fresh Coconut Milk | Lao Food at Saeng's Kitchen

tamarind paste

🥗Healthier: date paste

💰Cheaper: apple cider vinegar

Date paste offers a similar sweetness with less acidity.

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salted water

Soy sauce provides umami without fish allergens.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds natural sweetness with a unique flavor.

peanuts

🥗Healthier: sunflower seeds

💰Cheaper: pumpkin seeds

Sunflower seeds are nut-free and still crunchy.

Open the mature coconut and catch the juice in a bowl.

Scrape out the coconut meat using a traditional coconut scraper.

Blend the coconut meat with 2 cups of boiling hot water for about 1 minute.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth to extract the coconut milk.

Sweeten the coconut milk by melting 2 large palm sugar half ovals in a pot over medium to low heat for 8 to 10 minutes until caramelized.

Add a little water to stop the cooking process and mix well.

Add the coconut milk, salt, and 1 pandan leaf to the mixture and cook on low for 10 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens