[thechat] Recipe: Yam Polamai (Thai Fruit n' shrimp salad)

[Madhu Menon]

A delightful salad, as Hugh (who's made this dish from my recipe) will
attest. ;)

It may seem like an unusual list of ingredients but the amazing combination
of hot, sour, sweet, salty, and pungent flavours make this dish truly
spectacular. Just watch your guests' faces light up when they try this.

For a vegetarian version, replace fish sauce with mushroom soy sauce or
light soy sauce (but watch out for varying salt levels) and leave out the
chicken and shrimp.


WHAT YOU NEED

1 cup papaya
1 cup apples
1 cup green seedless grapes
1 cup pineapple

(All fruits should be chopped into ½" x ½" pieces.)

200 grams boneless chicken breast - cooked and shredded
100 grams medium prawns, peeled and cooked
4 tablespoons of shallots (small onions) - sliced and deep-fried to light
brown till they are crisp
1 tablespoon garlic - fried in a li'l bit of oil on low heat for about ten
seconds. They shouldn't turn brown.
4 small green chillies - sliced very fine (about 2mm thick)
5 tablespoons of toasted peanuts - lightly crushed
Handful of fresh mint leaves - chopped fine

Salad dressing

Juice of two medium lemons
1 teaspoon chili powder (cayenne pepper)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tbsp fish sauce


HOW TO MAKE IT

Combine the fruits with the shredded chicken and prawns. Mix well.

Combine the salad dressing ingredients and stir till all the sugar is
dissolved. The lemon flavour can vary widely depending upon the type of
lemon used, so dip your finger in and taste the dressing. If your face
doesn't light up with delight in about two seconds, you probably need to
adjust something. If it's too sour, try adding sugar ½ teaspoon at a time
till it's right. The chili flavour should be noticeable but not
overpowering. If your tongue burns or you start panting when you taste it,
there's too much chili.

Both these steps can be done well ahead of time.

Just before serving, stir the dressing one more time. Add the sliced green
chilies to the fruits, chicken and shrimp. Throw in the dressing and toss
well. Garnish with the fried shallots, garlic, peanuts and mint leaves.


Do try making this at home. For variations, try different fruits such as
oranges, mangoes, melons, etc. Just try to aim for contrast in colour,
texture, and flavour.

And when people praise your cooking, let me know. ;)

Regards,

Madhu

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Madhu Menon
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