Demok (Palauan Taro Leaf and Coconut Milk Soup)
In short: Taro leaves and tender stems simmered slowly in coconut milk until thick and silky, the soup many Palauans call their national dish. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 220 kcal
Demok is often called the national soup of Palau. Taro leaves, and sometimes their tender stems, are simmered slowly in coconut milk until they melt into a thick, green, savory-sweet soup. It is mild and creamy and is served with boiled taro, cassava or rice. Fresh taro leaves must be cooked thoroughly, so this is a patient pot.
Instructions
- Peel the stems if they are tough and slice them into 2 cm (3/4 in) pieces. Stack the leaves, roll them up and slice them into 2 cm (3/4 in) ribbons.
- Bring the water, coconut milk, onion and salt to a gentle simmer in a large pot. Add the stems and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the leaves, pressing them under the liquid. Cover and simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until the leaves are completely soft and the soup is thick.
- Taste for salt and serve hot in bowls, with boiled taro, cassava or steamed rice.
Tips
- Cook the leaves until they are completely tender, then taste a piece. Undercooked taro leaves cause an itchy, scratchy throat.
- Spinach can replace the taro leaves if you cannot find them, and needs only 10 minutes of simmering.
Questions and answers
What is demok?
Demok is a Palauan soup made from taro leaves simmered in coconut milk. It is often called the national soup of Palau.
Where can I find taro leaves?
Pacific, Asian and Caribbean grocery stores sell them fresh, frozen or canned, sometimes labeled luau leaves or dasheen leaves.
What do I serve with demok?
Boiled taro, cassava or steamed rice are the usual partners.
How long does it take to make Demok (Palauan Taro Leaf and Coconut Milk Soup)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Demok (Palauan Taro Leaf and Coconut Milk Soup)?
About 220 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 220 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 460 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
