Fern Lawar

Serves 6-8…
500 gm. fern 2 lime leaves, shredded
1 - ½ cup coconut, grilled & grated 3 tbsp. fried shallot
salt to taste 2 tbsp. oil
Madam (spice mixture)
100 gm./3 oz chicken mince salt to taste
3 tbsp. base genep 2 lime leaves
1 cup coconut milk 1 stick lemongrass, knotted
½ cup water 2 salam leaves
2 tbsp sambal goreng

Lawar is a ceremonial food and part of a sacred task known as “Mebat”. This refers to the chopping of all the ingredients to be uses in the ceremony by the local men. Seated in a large circle, armed with cleavers and rustic chopping boards, meat, vegetables, coconut and spices are rhythmically “chopped”. At the head of this task group, sits the man who is expert at mixing Lawar. In the traditional recipe, animal blood and entrails are added, as well as lots of extra chopped chilli. Our recipe is a simplified version of this!

To prepare the Madam, sauté the chicken mince with the Base Genep in a small amount of oil, over a medium flame, with the lime leaves, lemongrass and salam leaves. Add the water and simmer until the chicken is cooked. Add the coconut milk, simmer and stir for a further 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Set a side to cool. Steam or boil the fern, and chopped finely. Mix the lime leaves, sambal goreng, fried shallots, and madam thoroughly with the grated coconut. Add the cooked, chopped fern. Add salt, extra fried onion and lime leaves if necessary. NOTE : The Madam can also be made with 2 cups of water in place of the coconut milk.