posted by Mimi Hiller 02-21-101 4:43 PM
From Vanuatu
Laplap
Serves 6-8
1 small Chicken
6-8 cups Yam (grated)
3-4 Tomatoes
1 medium Onion
1 bundle Bele
1/4 Pumpkin
3 cups Coconut Cream
Salt to taste
Prepare banana leaves for wrapping food in, about 4-6 good leaves. Wash all vegetables well under running water. Slice onion, cut tomatoes into quarters and pumpkin into' good sized serving pieces. Clean chicken and cut into serving pieces allowing 1-2 pieces per serve.
Arrange banana leaves neatly on a flat surface. Arrange in two or three layers, bele, grated yam, chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle each layer with salt and a spoon of coconut cream.
Wrap Laplap into a neat bundle and tie securely with string. Bake or steam for 1 hour.
Variation: For meat use any fresh or tinned meat and kimala, banana or breadfruit instead of yam.