[Hoot Gibson]

Last night's dinner was Vietnamese spring rolls and lemongrass chicken.

Tonight it will be homemade spicy chicken/turkey larb. Larb (also called laab) is a spicy ground meat or poultry salad with fresh herbs like basil, mint, and cilantro. The ingredients vary but can include onions, shallots, chili peppers, lime juice, fish sauce, ground peanuts or cashews (or toasted rice powder). It is pretty easy to prepare and is becoming one of my favorite dishes.

Larb is common in northern Thailand and Laos. Larb can be served with rice but is often served with fresh mint leaves and lettuce leaves (think lettuce wraps from P.F. Chang's).