Cha Lua (Thai Pork in Banana Leaves)

Flavorful pork patties baked in banana leaves. I adapted the original Thai recipe into individual patties which cook faster and are easier to handle than the original large tube/loaf. I can't eat fish or soy sauce, so I just leave it out (which does take away a little flavor,) or sometimes substitute a splash of beef broth or wine instead. For ZWT9

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6 patties

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons fish sauce
• 2  tablespoons  oil
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1 -2  teaspoon five-spice powder, to taste
• 2  green onions
• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 1  lb ground pork
• 1  egg
• 1 -2  large  banana leaf
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350* F.
2. Finely chop the green onion and garlic. Mix all the ingredients (except leaves) together, and divide into 6 equal pieces.
3. Cut the banana leaves into 6 squares, about 9"x9". Shape a portion of the meat into a patty, and place in the center of a leaf piece. Fold the sides over the patty, then fold the ends up. Repeat with remaining meat.
4. Place patties on a rack or pan in the oven, and bake for 20-30 minutes until meat reaches 160* F. My 6 patties took 25 minutes to reach 160* F.