Tuluk (Vanuatu Cassava Parcels with Spiced Beef)
In short: Grated cassava wrapped around spiced minced beef and steamed in leaf parcels, a Vanuatu street snack sold at markets and roadside stalls. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Resting
- 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Tuluk is a street snack from Vanuatu. A thick layer of grated cassava is pressed around a small portion of spiced minced meat, and the parcel is wrapped in leaf and steamed until the cassava turns firm, translucent and chewy. It is sold at markets and roadside stalls as a quick bite. Garlic, ginger, onion and a little chili season the filling, and the parcel is eaten warm, straight from the leaf.
Instructions
- Mix the beef with the onion, garlic, ginger, pepper, chili and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Shape into 8 small ovals.
- Mix the grated cassava with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. If it is very wet, squeeze out some of the liquid. Divide into 8 portions.
- Press one portion of cassava into a round about 10 cm (4 in) across on a leaf piece. Set a meat oval in the center and fold the cassava up and around it to enclose it fully.
- Wrap the leaf around the parcel and fold the ends under. Arrange the parcels in a steamer over simmering water.
- Cover and steam for 40 to 45 minutes, until the cassava is firm and translucent and the meat reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Rest for 5 minutes and serve warm in the leaf, with chili sauce or lime wedges if you like.
Tips
- Remove the woody core from the cassava before grating, and cook the parcels all the way through. Cassava should never be eaten raw.
- For a crisper outside, unwrap the steamed parcels and brown them in a dry pan for 2 minutes per side.
Questions and answers
What is tuluk?
Tuluk is a Vanuatu street snack of grated cassava wrapped around spiced minced meat and steamed or baked in leaves.
Can I use frozen grated cassava?
Yes. Thaw it, squeeze out the excess water and use it exactly as written.
Can I bake the parcels?
Yes. Wrap them in foil and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 45 minutes, until the cassava is firm and the meat reaches 71°C (160°F).
How long does it take to make Tuluk (Vanuatu Cassava Parcels with Spiced Beef)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tuluk (Vanuatu Cassava Parcels with Spiced Beef)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 59 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 59 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
