Delicious Prawn and Black Rice Salad Recipe
Greetings, foodies! Are you looking for a new recipe to add to your culinary repertoire? Look no further than this delicious Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing Recipe. As a chef specializing in Vietnamese and Asian cuisine, I’m excited to share one of my personal favorites that is sure to leave your taste buds craving more.
This recipe features succulent prawns and nutty black rice, two ingredients that complement each other perfectly. Tossed together with a tangy and aromatic Vietnamese dressing, this salad packs a punch of flavors that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Vietnam.
But don’t be intimidated by the exotic combination of flavors and ingredients! This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginners in the kitchen. Plus, with some helpful tips and tricks I’ll provide later on in this article, you’ll be able to create the perfect dish every time.
So what are you waiting for? Get ready to take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey with this Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing Recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As a chef specializing in Vietnamese and Asian cuisine, I understand the importance of creating dishes that not only taste great, but also provide nourishment and satisfaction. That’s why I can confidently say that you are going to love this recipe for Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing.
Firstly, let’s talk about the ingredients. We’ve got black rice, which is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that are great for your body. Along with prawns, this salad will provide a healthy dose of protein without weighing you down. And who can forget about the dressing – a delicious combination of fish sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic and fresh chilies that brings together all the flavors beautifully.
But it’s not just about the health benefits. This salad is the perfect balance of sweet and savory thanks to the addition of caster sugar and a touch of sesame oil in the dressing. And with the variety of textures from crunchy vegetables to tender prawns and hearty black rice, every bite will be a delight for your taste buds.
Another thing you’ll love about this recipe is how versatile it is. If you don’t have access to prawns or squid, you can easily substitute them with another type of seafood or even tofu for a vegetarian version. You can also customize it by adding more veggies or tweaking the dressing to your liking.
Last but not least, this recipe is easy to make and perfect for any occasion – whether it’s a casual lunch or a fancy dinner party. It’s a dish that will impress your guests without requiring too much time or effort on your part.
So what are you waiting for? Give this Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing recipe a try and discover why it’s the perfect blend of taste, health, versatility and simplicity!
Ingredient List
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the ingredients needed to create this mouthwatering Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing.
For the salad:
- 1 cup black rice
- 2 cups water
- 300g prawns, peeled and deveined
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red chili, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds (optional)
For the Vietnamese Dressing:
- Juice of 1 lime
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
These ingredients for the dressing will give your salad a vibrant and zesty flavor that’s both refreshing and unique. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand though, as there are several substitutions and variations you can make to the recipe which we will explore later on. Next up, let’s get started on how to make this tasty dish!
The Recipe How-To
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to dive into the making of this Vietnamese Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing recipe. The recipe is divided into three parts – the preparation of the salad, the preparation of the prawns, and finally, the making of the Vietnamese dressing.
Salad Preparation
The first step involves cooking the black rice as per the instructions on your packet. Once cooked, allow it to cool before adding it to a large mixing bowl. Add in chopped fresh herbs like mint and coriander leaves, sliced red onion and mix well.
Prawn Preparation
On a high heat, add vegetable oil to a wok or a frying pan. Once hot, add prawns and squid followed by thinly sliced garlic cloves and chilies. Stir fry them for one to two minutes or till they turn pink. Then remove them from the heat and add a squeeze of lime juice to them.
Vietnamese Dressing Preparation
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together fish sauce, caster sugar, water, lemon juice, freshly grated ginger, finely diced chilies and sesame oil until sugar dissolves.
Bringing It All Together
Now that each component has been prepared individually, it’s time to assemble everything. Take half of your Vietnamese dressing and pour it over your black rice salad. Toss everything together so that it gets coated evenly.
Next step is adding in your cooked prawns and squid on top of the salad. Finally, pour over remaining Vietnamese dressing on top.
Your delectable Prawn & Black Rice Salad With Vietnamese Dressing is now ready to be served!
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re looking to experiment with this prawn and black rice salad, there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can try. Here are a few ideas:
– Swap out the prawns for chicken or tofu if you’re not a fan of seafood. You can still enjoy the delicious Vietnamese dressing alongside your preferred protein.
– If black rice isn’t available in your area, feel free to use brown rice or wild rice instead. These whole grain options provide similar texture and richness to your salad.
– Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of chilies used in the recipe. I recommend starting with one chili and adding more as desired.
– If you don’t have fish sauce on hand, soy sauce or oyster sauce can be used as a substitute. Keep in mind that these sauces have different levels of saltiness, so adjust the amount accordingly.
– Add other vegetables to the salad, such as cucumber, carrots, or bell peppers, for added crunch and nutrition.
– Create a rice noodle salad by mixing cooked vermicelli noodles with the Vietnamese dressing and prawn or tofu. Top it off with sesame oil and pomegranate seeds for additional flavor.
Remember that cooking is all about creativity and making it your own, so feel free to experiment with your own twists on this delicious recipe.
Serving and Pairing
Serving and pairing your prawn and black rice salad with Vietnamese dressing is the perfect opportunity to impress your guests with a refreshing and vibrant dish. The combination of flavors in this delightful salad will take you on a culinary journey to Southeast Asia.
The ideal way to serve this salad is at room temperature or slightly chilled. The black rice adds a nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the prawns and creates a striking contrast in color with the vivid greens of the vegetables. The Vietnamese dressing brings it all together, adding an explosion of zesty and tangy flavors.
This salad is extremely versatile when it comes to pairings, making it suitable for any occasion, from a summer barbecue to a fancy dinner party. Its lightness makes it perfect as a side dish for grilled fish or meat or as a starter for any meal.
To enhance the Asian-inspired flavors, serve it alongside sushi or sashimi, combine it with noodle-based dishes like Pad Thai or a Vietnamese bun cha, beef noodle soup. For a more adventurous approach, try serving it with traditional Southeast Asian desserts like sticky coconut rice pudding or mango sorbet.
When pairing wine with this salad, go for a white wine with crisp acidity like riesling or sauvignon blanc. Alternatively, if you prefer red wine, reach for one that is light and fruity like pinot noir.
Whatever the occasion may be, this prawn and black rice salad with Vietnamese dressing recipe is sure to create an unforgettable experience for your guests.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the things that makes this Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing recipe so great is that it can be made ahead of time without losing any of its flavor or texture. This makes it perfect for meal prepping or for those times when you need to make something quick and effortless at the last minute.
To make this salad in advance, simply cook the black rice, prawns, and vegetables separately and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. The dressing can also be made in advance and stored in a separate container. Before assembling the salad, bring everything to room temperature before adding the Vietnamese dressing. This will ensure that all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Storing leftovers is also easy with this recipe. Simply store any leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, toss everything together and add more dressing if needed.
When reheating, bring the prawns, rice, and vegetables to room temperature before gently reheating on low heat on your stove or microwave. Overcooking might make the ingredients tough and lose their texture. Reheat gradually while stirring frequently until they are just warmed through.
By following these simple tips, you’ll have a delicious Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing ready for whenever you need it!
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure your Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing turns out perfectly, keep the following tips in mind:
First and foremost, be sure to rinse your black rice thoroughly before cooking it. This will help remove any excess starch and ensure that your rice has a fluffy texture.
When grilling the prawns, be sure to do so over high heat. This will give them a nice charred flavor and prevent them from becoming rubbery.
For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding some rice vermicelli noodles to your salad. These thin, translucent noodles have a delicate texture that compliments the prawns and black rice beautifully.
When cooking with ginger or garlic, make sure to finely mince them so that they distribute evenly throughout the dish. If you’re short on time, you can also use pre-minced garlic and ginger paste.
To make this recipe even healthier, consider using brown rice instead of black rice. While it won’t look quite as striking as its darker counterpart, brown rice is packed with nutrients like fiber and magnesium.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients in your Vietnamese dressing. Some recipes call for additional ingredients like pomegranate juice or sesame oil, which can add a unique twist to the classic flavor profile.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a restaurant-quality Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing that is sure to impress your dinner guests!
Bottom Line
So there you have it, the recipe for a delicious and healthy Prawn & Black Rice Salad with Vietnamese Dressing. Its unique blend of flavors and textures will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe out and impress your family and friends with your cooking skills.
As you can see from the ingredient list, this salad is packed with fresh and nutritious ingredients that will keep you energized throughout the day. And the best part? You can easily make substitutions and variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Last but not least, I want to remind you to have fun in the kitchen. Cooking can be a therapeutic activity that allows you to connect with yourself and others through food. So don’t stress too much about getting everything perfect. Just enjoy the process of creating something beautiful and delicious.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe article and that it inspires you to experiment with new ingredients and flavor combinations in your own cooking. Remember, food is not just about nourishing our bodies, but also about nourishing our souls. So cook with love, eat with joy, and savor every bite!
Prawn & Black Rice Salad With Vietnamese Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves (minced or crushed)
- 2 chilies, finely sliced (fresh Thai birdeye or other red chillies)
- 4 cm fresh ginger (finely minced)
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 250 g black rice (make sure to rince first!)
- 500 g raw peeled prawns
- salt (to taste)
- lemon juice (from half a lemon)
Instructions
- Sauce: Mix all ingredients together -- Easy.
- Salad: Follow cooking instructions on the packet of rice. Drain thoroughly or your rice will be runny.
- Poach the prawns in simmering salted water, in which the juice of the lemon is added. Poach for approximately 5 minutes or until just cooked through but still very tender.
- Let rice and prawns cool and then mix the sauce through. (or serve hot).