Laulau inspiration

Laulau is a local favorite in Hawai’i. Here is a pretty good explanation what it is

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laulau. Simply put, modern laulau is a piece of salted fish or meat, wrapped with taro leaves, covered with Ti leaves and steam cooked. Back on the Islands, when we make laulau at home, it is usually a special occasion or celebration. Other Polynesian Islands have similar versions of the same dish. My big Samoan “braddah” once tried to convince me to add coconut cream to the meat. He didn’t realize my Kumu was right behind him. I can still remember a very stern voice said: “She is not Samoan and she cooks Hawaiian.”

I love laulau, especilly fish laulau. It was a real treat today that I found fresh taro leaves (also known as lu'au leaves) from Hawaii at an Asian store that I don’t usually shop at. 

I just have to make a few classic pork laulau for my hula sisters and my Kumu. I also thought of my non-meat eating friends. Back in Hawai’i, fish laulau is usually butterfish. I have seen my fish guys carry it every now and then. Butterfish is actually known as Black Cod on the Mainland. Unfortunately they didn’t have any today, however there was some beautiful Opah (Moon fish). I found a nice piece of whole fillet. I decided to cook it whole. Here it is my version a modern Baked Fish Laulau, since this is not really Hawaiian, I added coconut milk for flavor, fat and moisture. It made the fish very buttery and smooth. The coconut flavor compliment the leaves very well. I hope you like it.

Baked Fish laulau with coconut milk

1.5 lb of firm white fish fillet, I am using Opah, cod will work very well in the recipe too. Cleaned, remove the skin. Pat dry.

7-8 large taro leaves, trim the stems and discard, wash and raise thoroughly.

3 Tbsp Hawaiian Alaea red salt

1 12”x12” piece of banana leaf (I am using frozen leave which you will find at the frozen food section in most Asian store.

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees

In a large bowl, rub Hawaiian salt generously on the fish fillet. Let stand for about 10-15 mins.

Lay the banana leaf in a baking pan..

Top with the largest piece of taro leaf first, then layering the smaller ones on top.

Place the fish in the center of the leaves.

 Gather the leaves around the fish, pour in coconut milk.

 Wrap the fish with the leaves. Turn the taro leave seam down to the bottom, if the coconut milk leaks, not to worry about it.

 Wrap the fish package with banana leave (as if you are wrapping a burrito) then roll the package so that the seam is on the bottom of the pan

 Tightly cover the baking pan with foil. 

Baked for 1.5 hrs.

To serve: Place a whole package on a shallow serving platter. Cut the banana leaf open in the center; 

tear back the leaf to revile the vegetable and the fish. 

This is a dish great to serve family style with rice on the side. The fish is so tender; you don’t need a knife to cut it. Make sure you serve the fish with some of the vegetable and top with a couple spoonful of the sauce.
Serve 6.

Enjoy!
Aloha