Even though it is winter here in Estonia, I somehow crave summer food. Maybe it is because I miss summer, long days and sun. Maybe it is because Estonian traditional Christmas food is very much on the heavier side (think pork, sausages, lots of potatoes, etc.) and the light salad is a nice change. Or maybe it is because this spicy, zingy, and fresh salad is just so good and simple to prepare.
Whatever the reason – I have been eating this at least once a week for the last two months. It is so light but full of flavor. I love spice and this is definitely a salad for spice lovers. In fact, if usually, you can just choose to use less chili in case you don’t like heat then for this salad, I recommend just making something different if you don’t like heat as spiciness is essential for this dish. So is the fish sauce, so it is not suitable for vegetarians. I often substitute fish sauce in other dishes with extra salt to make them vegan friendly, but here it does not work – I have tried and it is just not the same. Sorry, my vegan friends. Luckily I have loads of vegan recipes available, so you will not stay hungry.
Asian Inspired Pomelo Salad
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
½ cup cashew nuts
1 tsp dry rice
1 large pomelo
2 shallots
A small bunch of fresh coriander
The juice of 1-2 limes
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 Thai birds eye chilies
1 tbsp coconut sugar
Instructions:
Start by toasting cashew nuts for a few minutes until slightly browned. Then remove from heat and set aside.
Continue by toasting the rice for a few minutes until slightly toasted. Remove from heat, set aside, then grind to a rough powder in mortar and pestle.
Clean the pomelo and place it into a bowl.
Cut the shallots into thin slices.
Tear the leaves off coriander and chop the stems.
For a dressing, chop the chilies finely and mix together lime juice (start with one), fish sauce, and coconut sugar. Mix until the sugar has dissolved completely and have a taste. Add extra lime juice if needed – the dressing needs to be zingy and spicy but also balanced by sugar and fish sauce.
Mix everything together and enjoy. Addictive!
By Kadri Raig
Kadri is a food blogger and yoga teacher from Estonia. She loves to spend time in the kitchen, but most of her recipes are simple and don’t take more than 20 minutes of active cooking time. She thinks that everybody can find time to cook healthy food at home, it is just a question of planning. "I work in an office full time, teach yoga 7-8 hours a week and write a blog. So if I manage to cook most of my meals, then so do you!" Connect with Kadri and enjoy many more of her delicious healthy recipes on her website here: www.kahvliga.ee.
Enjoy this FREE 25-Minute yoga class from home, before your delicious mushrooms!
25-Minute Full Body Yoga with Keith Allen