Rourou (Fijian Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk)
In short: Taro leaves simmered with onion and coconut milk until soft and creamy, a traditional Fijian side served with cassava, fish or rice. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 255 kcal
Rourou is the Fijian dish of dalo (taro) leaves cooked slowly in coconut milk until they melt into a thick, savory green stew. It appears at everyday family meals and at feasts, alongside boiled cassava, dalo or fish. Taro leaves must be cooked thoroughly, which is why the pot simmers for a good half hour, since undercooked leaves can make the mouth and throat itch. Spinach makes a quicker stand-in.
Instructions
- Cut the stems from the leaves. Stack the leaves, roll them up and slice them into wide ribbons, then rinse.
- Put the coconut milk, onion, garlic and salt in a wide pot and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the taro leaves in handfuls, pressing them down as they wilt. Cover and cook on low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until the leaves are completely tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the chili and lime juice if using, and add a splash of water if the stew looks dry.
- Serve hot with boiled cassava, dalo or rice.
Tips
- Cook taro leaves for at least 30 minutes over low heat. Raw or undercooked leaves contain crystals that irritate the mouth and throat.
- For a richer stew, stir in a few spoonfuls of coconut cream during the last 5 minutes.
Questions and answers
Why must taro leaves be cooked for so long?
Raw taro leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat. Simmering for 30 minutes or more removes the itch.
What can I use instead of taro leaves?
Spinach, silverbeet (Swiss chard) or bok choy. Spinach needs only 8 to 10 minutes of simmering.
What do you eat rourou with?
Boiled cassava, dalo or rice. In Fiji it is often served alongside grilled or fried fish.
How long does it take to make Rourou (Fijian Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk)?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rourou (Fijian Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk)?
About 255 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 255 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
