Discover how to make Lao BBQ (Khao Niew Muu), a mouthwatering recipe featuring tender grilled pork skewers marinated to perfection. This traditional Lao dish is served with a variety of tantalizing dipping sauces that enhance the flavors of the juicy, char-grilled pork. Perfect for a summer BBQ or a festive gathering, this recipe will guide you through each step to achieve authentic, flavorful skewers that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

For the Pork Marinade:

 - 500 grams (1 lb) pork tenderloin or pork shoulder, sliced into thin strips

 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce

 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce

 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar

 - 1 tablespoon minced garlic

 - 1 tablespoon minced ginger

 - 1 tablespoon lime juice

 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil

 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (optional for color)

For the Dipping Sauces:

Lao Spicy Sauce:

  - 1/4 cup lime juice

  - 2 tablespoons fish sauce

  - 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

  - 1 teaspoon sugar

  - 1-2 Thai chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)

Peanut Sauce:

  - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

  - 1/4 cup coconut milk

  - 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  - 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  - 1 tablespoon lime juice

  - 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Marinade:

  - In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, lime juice, sesame oil, black pepper, paprika, and turmeric powder.

  - Add the sliced pork to the marinade and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for better flavor.

2. Prepare the Dipping Sauces:

  - Lao Spicy Sauce: In a small bowl, combine lime juice, fish sauce, chopped cilantro, sugar, and Thai chilies. Mix well and set aside.

  - Peanut Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and minced garlic until smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.

3. Grill the Pork Skewers:

  - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork slices onto skewers.

  - Grill the skewers for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the pork is cooked through and has a nice char.

4. Serve:

  - Arrange the grilled pork skewers on a serving platter. Serve with the Lao Spicy Sauce and Peanut Sauce on the side.

  - Garnish with extra cilantro or lime wedges if desired.

Enjoy your homemade Lao BBQ (Khao Niew Muu) with friends and family for a delightful and authentic dining experience!

Nutritional Values

Pork Tenderloin or Pork Shoulder

Nutritional Values (per 100 grams):

- Calories: 143 kcal

- Protein: 22.5 grams

- Fat: 5.1 grams

- Carbohydrates: 0 grams

Benefits:

- High in Protein: Essential for muscle repair and growth.

- Rich in B Vitamins: Important for energy production and brain health.

- Minerals: Provides important minerals like zinc, iron, and phosphorus.

Soy Sauce

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 10 kcal

- Protein: 1 gram

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 1 gram

- Sodium: 1000 mg

Benefits:

- Low in Calories: Adds flavor without many calories.

- Contains Antioxidants: Helps combat oxidative stress.

Fish Sauce

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 10 kcal

- Protein: 2 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 0 grams

- Sodium: 900 mg

Benefits:

- Rich in Amino Acids: Supports protein synthesis and overall health.

- Low in Calories: Adds a salty umami flavor with minimal calories.

Brown Sugar

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 52 kcal

- Protein: 0 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 13.8 grams

Benefits:

- Natural Sweetener: Less processed than white sugar, retaining some minerals like calcium and potassium.

Garlic

Nutritional Values (per 1 clove):

- Calories: 4 kcal

- Protein: 0.2 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 1 gram

Benefits:

- Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial: Helps boost the immune system.

- Rich in Antioxidants: May help reduce oxidative stress.

Ginger

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 5 kcal

- Protein: 0 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 1 gram

Benefits:

- Anti-nausea: Helps with digestive issues and nausea.

- Anti-inflammatory: May reduce inflammation and pain.

Lime Juice

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 4 kcal

- Protein: 0 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 1 gram

Benefits:

- High in Vitamin C: Supports immune function and skin health.

- Antioxidant: Helps protect cells from damage.

Sesame Oil

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 120 kcal

- Protein: 0 grams

- Fat: 14 grams

- Carbohydrates: 0 grams

Benefits:

- Rich in Healthy Fats: Contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

- Antioxidants: Includes sesamolins and sesamin, which may have health benefits.

Black Pepper

Nutritional Values (per 1 teaspoon):

- Calories: 6 kcal

- Protein: 0.2 grams

- Fat: 0.1 grams

- Carbohydrates: 1.5 grams

Benefits:

- Enhances Absorption: Improves the absorption of other nutrients.

- Anti-inflammatory: May help reduce inflammation and pain.

Paprika

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 19 kcal

- Protein: 0.6 grams

- Fat: 1 gram

- Carbohydrates: 4 grams

Benefits:

- Rich in Vitamin A: Supports vision and immune health.

- Antioxidants: Helps protect against oxidative damage.

Turmeric Powder

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 24 kcal

- Protein: 0.5 grams

- Fat: 0.7 grams

- Carbohydrates: 4.3 grams

Benefits:

- Anti-inflammatory: Contains curcumin, which may reduce inflammation.

- Antioxidant: Helps protect cells from damage.

Peanut Butter

Nutritional Values (per 2 tablespoons):

- Calories: 188 kcal

- Protein: 8 grams

- Fat: 16 grams

- Carbohydrates: 6 grams

Benefits:

- High in Protein: Supports muscle repair and growth.

- Healthy Fats: Contains monounsaturated fats.

Coconut Milk

Nutritional Values (per 1/4 cup):

- Calories: 80 kcal

- Protein: 0.5 grams

- Fat: 8 grams

- Carbohydrates: 2 grams

Benefits:

- Rich in Healthy Fats: Contains medium-chain triglycerides.

- Vitamins and Minerals: Provides some vitamins and minerals like magnesium and potassium.

Cilantro

Nutritional Values (per 1 tablespoon):

- Calories: 1 kcal

- Protein: 0 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Carbohydrates: 0 grams

Benefits:

- Rich in Antioxidants: Helps reduce oxidative stress.

- Supports Digestion: May aid in digestion and detoxification.

These ingredients not only enhance the flavor of your Lao BBQ (Khao Niew Muu) but also offer a variety of health benefits.