Hawaiian Lau Lau Pork

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1. 1Step 1: Rinse and pat dry pork with paper towel. Cut pork into 1-1/2 inch cubes. In large bowl, add pork, Hawaiian Alea Sea Salt, and soy sauce. Toss until all the meat pieces are covered evenly.
2. 2Step 2: Remove stems from taro leaves. Stack 2 large taro leaves on top of each other or 4 to 6 medium to small taro leaves. Place 2 to 3 chunks of seasoned pork in the center of the taro leaves.
3. 3Step 3: Wrap taro leaves around the pork chunks creating a bundle.
4. 4Step 4: Line a 5-quart crock-pot bottom and sides with 4 Ti leaves or banana leaves (shiny side up – facing food), forming a slight basket all the way up the sides of the crock pot. If unable to purchase the Ti or Banana leaves, lining crock pot with aluminum foil and covering top of pork snugly with aluminum foil can be substituted to create a steamy environment.
5. 5Step 5: Place bundle in crock pot seam side down. Repeat this step until crock pot is full of wrapped pork. Pour water over the pork bundles.
6. 6Step 6: Place remaining Ti or Banana leaves over top (shiny side down, facing food), tucking in edges. Cover the top of the crock pot with aluminium foil and place the lid on top.
7. 7Step 7: Cook on low for 8 hours or until Taro Leaves are fully cooked (dark green and soft).
8. 8Step 8: Not recommended to cook on high setting. The author of Cooking and Crafting 101 received the following feedback: “I received feedback that the fast 4-hour version caused their mouth to itch. Luau leaves need to be thoroughly cooked so that this does not happen, so I encourage you to do the 8-hour version.”
9. 9Step 9: Serve pork and cooked taro leaves with steamed white rice and enjoy!
10. 10Step 10: NOTE: Do not eat the Ti or Banana Leaves as they are not edible.
11. 11Step 11: Serves Many.
12. 12Step 12: Check out What’s Cooking America’s Guidelines on how to use an Instant Pot Multi-Cooker
13. 13Step 13: Follow the above instructions to prepare and wrap the pork in taro leaves to create the bundled packets.
14. 14Step 14: Next you will want the wrap either ti leaves, banana leafs or foil around the pork bundles to create individual steam packets. You can wrap 2 pork bundles in a ti or banana leaf. Cross 2 leaves over each other (shiny side of leaf faces in) and wrap around the pork bundles. Tie the ti or banana leaf bundle closed with kitchen twine.
15. 15Step 15: Add 2 cups of water to the inner pot and place a steamer rack inside (this will prevent the pork bundles from sitting in the water while steaming). Stack the Lau Lau bundles inside the pot to no more than 2/3 full.
16. 16Step 16: Cover with the lid and close to seal the lid.
17. 17Step 17: Make sure the pressure valve is also closed (handle turned to Sealing) to lock in the steam while cooking.
18. 18Step 18: Select Manual cooking setting at High Pressure, then adjust cooking time to 1 hour (60 minutes).
19. 19Step 19: When cooking time is finished, open the pressure valve to Quick Release the steam. Once the pressure has been released, the lid can be opened.
20. 20Step 20: Cooking Tip: Open one of the bundles and check the pork to see if it is tender enough to your liking. If not, rewrap the bundle and place back in pressure cooker and cook for 10 minute increments (checking the pork each time) until you are satisfied with the tenderness.
21. 21Step 21: Remove the ti or banana leaves and discard as they are not edible.
22. 22Step 22: Serve the pork and cooked taro leaves with steamed white rice and enjoy!
23. 23Step 23: Serves Many.