A few weeks ago I shared one of Southeast Asian fresh flavorful salad known as Larb, ลาบ (ឡាប).  With just a few extra ingredients you can kick it up a notch and turn them into Crispy Fried Larb Ball (Larb Bompong Sroeuy Sroeuy), ឡាបបំពងស្រួយៗ. This bite-size flavor exploded balls makes a great appetizer (paired with alcohol beverages) or a snack. Enjoy it with steamed or sticky rice and you have a fulfilling meal. Some people are not familiar with the taste of Crispy Fried Larb Ball.  Crispy on the outside and as you bite into it you will instantly be remind of the Larb salad flavors.

Superbowl XLV (45th) is coming  this February 6, 2011 and many will join their friends, family and loved ones to watch the game, this would be a great dish to serve and share. If alcohol is involve then definitely check out my Cambodian Popcorn Chicken and Stuffed Chicken Wings recipe. It will sure to be a hit! If time is limited, you can order my Mother’s Cambodian Sausage. You just need to put these on the grill and they are good to go. Order by January 29, 2011 and we will have them delivered in time for game day.

As always with my recipes, feel free to substitute your choice of meat. This time I am using ground turkey instead of pork. Ground chicken would be another great choice. There is no need to pre-cook the meat since the Larb will be formed into a ball and deep fried. For this reason, it is important that the balls are not too big of a size so they are cooked thoroughly.

Crispy Fried Larb Balls (makes 25-30 balls)
(Larb Bompong Sroeuy Sroeuy) ឡាបបំពងស្រួយៗ

Ingredients
1 lb ground meat (chicken, pork, turkey)
1 bunch bean thread, soak until soften and cut into 1½ inch
1 large shallot, diced
1 tablespoon toasted rice grain, pound or grind finely
1 tablespoon dried red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
1 tablespoon crushed roasted peanut
1 teaspoon sugar
4-5 cilantro sprigs, chopped
2 stalks green onion, chopped
2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon flour
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
oil for frying

assorted fresh vegetables and herbs for serving

Method:
In a large mixing bowl combine the first 11 ingredients. Mix well. You can use plastic gloves to protect your hands.

Add 1 teaspoon flour. This will help absorb the juices and shape the ball. Set aside.

Prepare 2 separate plate/bowl. One for the beaten egg, and the other for the Panko bread crumbs.

Scoop about 1 teaspoon of Larb mixture and form into a ball.  Try to make the balls of equal sizes so they fry up evenly.

Using a flork or slotted spoon dip the ball into the beaten egg. Drain and coat it with Panko bread crumbs. Set aside. Repeat this step until you have used up all the Larb mixture.

Depending on the size on your frying pot/pan add enough frying oil so that it will cover at least half of the Larb balls. You want to use a heavy base pot/pan. If the frying pot/pan is too thin it will cause the outside to burn while leaving the inside meat un-cook.

Heat oil to medium high and add the Larb balls in increments and batches. Adding them too quickly all at once will drop the oil temperature. This can cause the oil to penetrate through and make the Larb balls soggy instead of crispy.

Deep fry the Larb balls until golden brown. Turn them occasionally so all the sides cook through.  Strain on paper towel or paper bag to remove excess oil.

Serve with your choice of fresh vegetables and herbs. ENJOY!