During my recent trip to Cambodia, I had the privilege of being taught some traditional Khmer cuisine. Lok lak was something that I loved, and so the first thing I wanted to do when I got back was try making my own!  

lok lak image

Ingredients

  • 450g tofu
  • Cornflour
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 2.5 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp MSG (optional)
  • 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • Thumb sized piece of ginger
  • 1 red chilli
  • 1 tbsp kampot pepper (ground)
  • Onion (sliced)
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 2 limes
  • Rice  

 

Method

  1. Chop your tofu, coat in cornflour and then fry. *
  2. Meanwhile, put your soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, MSG and vinegar in a jug and mix together.
  3. Also meanwhile, blend together your garlic, ginger and chilli with a little bit of water to make a paste.
  4. When your tofu is done, set aside and start frying your onion.
  5. When the onion is soft, add in your garlic and ginger ‘paste’ and your pepper. Fry for a minute.
  6. Add in your sauce and heat until it bubbles. Then toss in and coat your tofu.
  7. Serve with rice, sliced tomato and squeeze on the lime.  

 

Additional notes

  • *Don’t disturb the tofu while it’s frying. You want to wait util it has browned on one side, then turn it over. I recommend you coat the tofu by putting it in a tub with cornflour and shaking it vigorously.