Asian cuisines are gaining significant attention worldwide, offering a diverse range of flavors and styles, including iconic options like Chinese, Indian, and Thai dishes.
Asia’s rich culinary history is deeply rooted in the use of spices and herbs. Dishes such as Tom Yum, Curries, and Rendang have become globally celebrated, with renowned chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay exploring and recreating these Asian delicacies.
Today, I want to introduce you to a popular and refreshing Thai dish. Did you know Thai cuisine ranks among the most beloved in the world? The Thai mastery of flavor combinations is truly remarkable, with their dishes often showcasing a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and sour notes. This bold and harmonious flavor profile is undoubtedly why Thai food has achieved such widespread acclaim.
INGREDIENTS
- 50 g dry glass noodles
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 onion, julienned
- 1 Roma tomato, sliced
- ½ cup fresh coriander leaves (including stems), sliced
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, torn
- ½ cup basil leaves, torn
- 1 sprig of spring onion, sliced
- 6–8 prawns, shelled and deveined
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts or pine nuts
Dressing
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 4 bird’s eye chilies or 3 red chilies, sliced
- 1 lemongrass stalk, thinly sliced
- 1–1.5 tbsp palm sugar, finely chopped (or substitute with brown sugar)
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 4 tbsp fresh lime juice
INSTRUCTIONS
- Soak the glass noodles in lukewarm water for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Season the prawns with salt and black pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and pan-fry the prawns for a few minutes until cooked. Remove the prawns and set aside.
- Using the same pan (with the heat off), prepare the dressing by adding all the dressing ingredients. Mix until the sugar dissolves, allowing the residual oil in the pan to enhance the flavors. Set the dressing aside.
- Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and cook the noodles for 1 minute. Drain and cut them into manageable lengths using scissors.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the noodles with half of the prepared dressing.
- Add the julienned carrot, onion, tomato, and fresh herbs to the noodles. Adjust the seasoning by adding more dressing as needed.
- Transfer the salad to a serving plate, top with the cooked prawns, and sprinkle with roasted peanuts or pine nuts.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
