How to Make LapLap?

What happens when two mamas, a french girl, and an American get together. They make LapLap.

LapLap is there main dish here in Vanuatu. It has been around for a long time. My family does not even know when it first made. So I am thinking many, many years ago. When I first got here, I did not like it at all but now after 7 months, I love it. It is hard work to make it but it is worth it in the end. There are many different kinds of LapLaps, but I made LapLap with manioc. So here is the process.

First, you have to go to your garden and gather all of your supplies. (no grocery store here)
My Auntie gathered leaves, coconuts, and manioc. 

Next, you have to get your oven ready. So my auntie made this fire and burning all the stones.

Then, you have to peel the manioc and clean them.

After, you have to break open a coconut to grate it. I tried to do it and I couldn't. :(

So my auntie did it the first try. LOL She also opened two more.

You sit on this and skratem coconuts. (grating)

Then you crate the coconuts. The time it took me to do one, my mama did the other two. They are so fast. 

Mama scratchem coconuts.

Then you have to grate the manioc. This is really hard. Again, I tried but was not very good so my auntie jumped in.

Then you have to burn the leaves so they don't break.

No we are ready to assemble the LapLap. You put three leaves down one way and three leave down the other way. 

We use the coconut husk as a strainer. 

Auntie is making coconut milk.

Oiling the leaves.

Now it is time for the manioc. 

Then you mix the manioc with the coconut milk about three times. Mama added a little bit of salt as well.  

Then you form it like this.  

After, you fold the leaves together. 

And you tie it tight. 

Now it is ready for the oven. 

Tongs to move the HOT stones.

You take apart the fire and move all the stones.

You place the LapLap on the fire.

Then you cover it back up with stones. 

Then, you add anything to keep the fire in side. This is our oven. 

Finally, it is finished. Not a great picture but here is the LapLap!

Mama and Auntie with the LapLap!

My french friend Sophie and I with the LapLap. It was DELICIOUS! No leftovers. 

I hope you enjoyed this description. If you want to try it, please come and visit! We have room.