Laplap (Vanuatu Grated Root Pudding with Chicken and Coconut Cream)
In short: A baked pudding of grated taro, yam and cassava in coconut cream, topped with chicken, the national dish of Vanuatu made here in a home oven. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 1 h 35 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Laplap is the national dish of Vanuatu, a pudding of finely grated root vegetables mixed with coconut cream, wrapped in leaves and baked until firm. In villages it is cooked on hot stones in an earth oven, which gives it a faint smoky flavor, and it is served at ceremonies, on Sundays and at market stalls. Chicken, fish or beef is laid on top as it cooks. This recipe bakes it in a dish in a regular oven.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 in) baking dish with banana leaves or a double layer of foil, letting the edges overhang.
- Grate the root vegetables finely, using a food processor if you have one. Mix with the salt and 250 ml (1 cup) of the coconut cream into a thick, sticky paste.
- Spread the paste evenly in the dish, about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick. Lay the chicken and onion on top and sprinkle with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Pour the remaining coconut cream over the chicken.
- Fold the leaves or foil over the top and cover the dish tightly with more foil. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 20 minutes more, until the pudding is set and browned at the edges and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest for 15 minutes, then cut into squares and serve with the chicken and the juices.
Tips
- Grate the vegetables as finely as you can. Coarse shreds stay hard, while fine ones turn into a smooth, sliceable pudding. Remove the woody core from cassava first.
- Cassava, taro and yam must be fully cooked, so check that the center of the pudding is soft and set. Fish, pork or beef can replace the chicken.
Questions and answers
What is laplap?
Laplap is a Vanuatu pudding of grated yam, taro, cassava or banana mixed with coconut cream, wrapped in leaves and baked. It is usually eaten with chicken, beef or fish.
Can I use frozen grated cassava?
Yes. Thaw it and squeeze out the excess water, then use it as part or all of the root vegetables.
Why is laplap cooked on hot stones?
Stones in an earth oven give slow, even heat and a light smoky flavor. A tightly covered dish in a moderate oven is the closest home match.
How long does it take to make Laplap (Vanuatu Grated Root Pudding with Chicken and Coconut Cream)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 1 h 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Laplap (Vanuatu Grated Root Pudding with Chicken and Coconut Cream)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
