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October 27, 2024
Are you looking to try something new and delicious? Look no further than Lao sausage. Lao sausage, also known as sai ua, is a flavorful and aromatic sausage hailing from Laos. Made with a blend of ground pork and various herbs and spices, this sausage is a perfect addition to any meal or even enjoyed on its own.
If you don’t have access to a grill or simply prefer using the oven, you can still achieve that mouthwatering taste and juicy texture. Cooking Lao sausage in the oven is easier than you think and yields excellent results every time.
To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, wrap each sausage in aluminum foil individually. This will help to retain the moisture and prevent the sausages from drying out during the cooking process.
Place the wrapped sausages onto a baking sheet and cook them in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, rotate the sausages to ensure even cooking and browning. This will help to develop a crispy and golden exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender.
Once the sausages are cooked, carefully remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Unwrap the sausages and serve them hot with your favorite condiments and sides. The flavorful combination of herbs and spices in Lao sausage pairs well with fresh herbs, sticky rice, and a spicy dipping sauce.
So, whether you’re a fan of Lao cuisine or just looking to try something new, cooking Lao sausage in the oven is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this traditional delicacy. With its unique flavors and easy preparation, Lao sausage is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen.
Preparation for Lao Sausage
Before cooking Lao sausage in the oven, it is important to properly prepare the sausage to enhance its flavors and ensure it cooks evenly. Follow the steps below to prepare the Lao sausage:
1. Soak the Sausage:
Start by soaking the sausages in warm water for about 10-15 minutes. This step helps remove excess salt and enhances the texture of the sausage.
2. Prick the Sausage:
Using a fork or toothpick, prick the sausages all over. This allows the fat to render during cooking, resulting in a crispy and evenly cooked sausage.
3. Marinate the Sausage (optional):
If desired, you can marinate the sausages to add more flavor. A common marinade for Lao sausage includes soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Place the pricked sausages in a bowl and coat them with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator for a stronger flavor.
Once the sausages are properly prepared, you can proceed with cooking them in the oven according to your desired recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of ground pork
- 1 tablespoon of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup of sticky rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1/4 cup of water
These are the ingredients you will need to make delicious lao sausage in the oven.
Equipment
Before you start cooking lao sausage in the oven, make sure you have the following equipment:
- An oven: You will need a functioning oven to cook the sausage properly.
- Baking sheet: A baking sheet will be used to place the sausages on while they cook.
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil: To prevent the sausages from sticking to the baking sheet, you can line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Tongs or oven mitts: It is important to have tongs or oven mitts to handle the hot baking sheet and sausages.
- Knife or fork: You may need a knife or fork to check the doneness of the sausage or to poke a few holes in the casing before cooking.
Having these equipment ready will make the cooking process easier and more efficient. Now that you have everything you need, let’s get started with the recipe!
Mixing the Ingredients
To prepare Lao sausage, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 kilogram of ground pork
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons of minced lemongrass
- 2 tablespoons of minced shallots
- 1 tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper
Start by combining the ground pork, salt, sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemongrass, shallots, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix everything together until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Adding Enhancing Ingredients
For an extra kick of flavor, you can add additional ingredients such as:
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
If you prefer your sausage to be spicy, feel free to add one or more of these ingredients to the mixture and adjust the amount according to your personal taste preference.
Mixing Thoroughly
Once you have added all the ingredients, use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly. Make sure all the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
It is important to mix the ingredients well to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed and that the sausage has a consistent taste. The mixture should have a slightly sticky texture but should still hold its shape when formed into sausages.
Now that the ingredients are mixed, you are ready to move on to the next step of the cooking process!
Grinding the Meat
To make lao sausage, the first step is to grind the meat. Start by selecting a choice of meat, such as pork or beef. Cut the chosen meat into small cubes and remove any excess fat or skin.
Next, place the meat cubes into a meat grinder. It’s important to use a grinder with a fine grinding plate to achieve a smooth texture. Grind the meat until it forms a consistent and evenly textured mixture.
For added flavor, you can incorporate additional ingredients during the grinding process. This can include minced garlic, chopped lemongrass, or ground pepper. These ingredients will enhance the taste of the sausage and give it a unique Lao flavor.
Once the meat is ground and the additional ingredients are mixed in, your sausage mixture is ready to be stuffed into casings. This is the next step in the process of cooking Lao sausage in the oven.
Adding the Seasonings
Once your sausage mixture is prepared, it’s time to add the seasonings. This is where you can really customize the flavor to your liking.
Here are some traditional seasonings used in Lao sausage:
| Seasoning | Amount |
|---|---|
| Salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Ground black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Minced garlic | 2 cloves |
| Minced ginger | 1 teaspoon |
| Chopped green onions | 2 tablespoons |
| Chopped cilantro | 2 tablespoons |
| Fish sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Sugar | 1 teaspoon |
| Red pepper flakes (optional) | To taste |
Combine all of the seasonings with the sausage mixture and mix well. Make sure all of the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Now that the seasonings are added, your Lao sausage mixture is ready to be shaped into sausages and cooked. Continue reading to learn how to cook Lao sausage in the oven.
Stuffing the Sausage
Once you have your sausage casings prepared, it’s time to start stuffing them with the delicious filling. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stuff lao sausages in the oven:
Ingredients:
| 1 pound ground pork | 2 cloves garlic, minced | 1 shallot, minced |
| 1/4 cup sticky rice, soaked in water | 1 tablespoon fish sauce | 1 teaspoon sugar |
| 1/2 teaspoon salt | 1/2 teaspoon black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) |
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, minced garlic, minced shallot, soaked sticky rice, fish sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes (if desired). Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- If using natural casings, rinse them under cold water and pat dry. Slide the open end of the casing onto the nozzle of the sausage stuffer.
- Slowly push the meat mixture through the stuffer, allowing it to fill the casing evenly. Avoid overstuffing, as it may cause the sausages to burst during cooking.
- Continue stuffing the rest of the casings, making sure to leave a bit of casing on each end to twist and secure the sausages.
- Once all the sausages are stuffed, twist the casings between each sausage to create individual links. Use kitchen twine to tie off the ends of each sausage.
Your lao sausages are now ready to be cooked in the oven, grilled, or fried to perfection!
Preparing the Casing
Before cooking the Lao sausage in the oven, it’s important to prepare the casing. The casing is usually made from edible materials like animal intestines or synthetic materials like collagen casings. Here are the steps to prepare the casing:
- Soak the casings in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove any salt or preservation liquid.
- Rinse the casings thoroughly under running water to ensure they are clean.
- Once the casings are clean, fill a bowl with water and gently stretch each casing to remove any air bubbles.
- Leave the casings in the water for another 30 minutes to soften them and make them easier to work with.
- After soaking and stretching, drain the casings and pat them dry with paper towels.
- The casings are now ready to be filled with the sausage mixture.
By properly preparing the casing, you’ll ensure that the Lao sausage cooks evenly and has the desired texture.
FAQ
What is lao sausage?
Lao sausage, also known as sai oua, is a traditional dish from Laos. It is a flavor-packed sausage made with ground pork, fragrant herbs, spices, and other ingredients. Usually, it is grilled or cooked in a pan, but it can also be cooked in an oven.
How do you make lao sausage?
To make lao sausage, you will need ground pork, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, garlic, shallots, chillies, coriander, fish sauce, soy sauce, salt, and sugar. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix well, and let them marinate for at least 1 hour. Form the mixture into sausage shapes and cook them in an oven until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Can I cook lao sausage in the oven?
Yes, you can cook lao sausage in the oven. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and place the sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for about 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and have a nice golden brown color.
What can I serve with lao sausage?
Lao sausage is delicious on its own, but it can also be served with sticky rice, noodles, or as part of a larger meal. You can also serve it with fresh herbs, vegetables, and dipping sauces to enhance the flavor. Some popular dipping sauces include sweet chili sauce, tamarind sauce, or lime juice mixed with fish sauce and chillies.