This is my submission for Hive Top Chef competition "favorite lunch" : created by @qurator
Good Monday from Thailand, everyone! 😊
As always, I have a recipe to share with you all. When it comes to spicy salads (Thai called "Yum"), they are a favorite for many Thais because of their unique flavor, and we can choose from a wide variety of ingredients we like. Today, I made Spicy Glass Noodle Salad with Crab Sticks. Glass noodles are often chosen for spicy salads because they absorb the dressing really well. When you eat it, they're bursting with the flavors of all the herbs and spices.
Spicy salad is usually my lunch because its intensely spicy flavor isn't suitable for me to eat in the morning.
Recipe : Spicy glass noodle salad with crab sticks 🥗
🌶️ INGREDIENTS
- Glass noodles (dry) 40 grams
- 6 pieces of crab sticks
- 100 grams of minced pork
- 10 grams of dried shrimp
- Roasted peanuts 20 grams
- Shallot 20 grams
- 10 fresh chilies
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Water (drinking water) 1/2 cup
- 1 stalk of coriander
- 5 leaves of culantro
Here are the steps! 😊👇
STEP 1
- Preparing Glass Noodles
I'll start by soaking the glass noodles in water, using just enough to cover them. The soaking time depends on the brand (it's specified on the back of the package). The brand I use recommends soaking for 5-7 minutes.
Once the noodles have finished soaking, pour them into a strainer. Use a knife or kitchen shears to cut them into shorter pieces for easier eating. Then, let them drain until the water has completely dripped off.
STEP 2
- Preparing Dried Shrimp,Crab sticks,Fresh Chilies,Shallots, Coriander and Culantro
Dried Shrimp > Soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes. Then, stir-fry them until they turn a little yellow; this will make the dried shrimp more fragrant (you can also deep-fry or bake them). But if it's not convenient, just soak them in hot water and then let them drain.
Crab sticks > Remove the plastic casing from the crab sticks, then cut them into smaller pieces. You can cut them in half or into thirds
Fresh Chilies > Wash with water, pat them dry, remove the stems, and pound them until coarsely ground.
Shallots > Peel off the skin, wash with water, pat them dry, and then slice them very thinly.
Coriander and Culantro > Wash them thoroughly, pat them dry, and then chop them finely
STEP 3
Stir-frying Minced Pork and Glass Noodles
Place a pot on the stove over medium-low heat. Add the minced pork, followed by a small amount of water. Use a spoon to break up and spread out the minced pork. Stir-fry until the pork is thoroughly cooked.
Once the pork is cooked, add the glass noodles and the remaining water. Keep stirring until the glass noodles are cooked through.
How to check if the glass noodles are done: Look for transparency and softness. If you're unsure just by looking, pick up a strand and taste it! If the noodle is soft and not hard or crunchy, it's ready. (If the water in the wok dries up before the noodles are cooked, add more water and continue cooking.)
When the glass noodles are cooked, turn off the heat. Let the noodles rest for about 3 minutes to cool down slightly. If you add the vegetables too quickly, they will cook and lose their crispness.
STEP 4
After the glass noodles have cooled, add crab sticks, dried shrimp, and sliced shallots. Then, season with lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, chili powder, and roughly chopped fresh chilies. Mix everything together well.
Taste and adjust according to your preference. In my recipe, the flavor is primarily sour, followed by a balanced saltiness and spiciness. If you try it and feel it’s not quite to your liking whether you’d like it more sour, sweeter, or saltier feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste
STEP 5
And once you have the desired taste, add the roasted peanuts, shopped coriander and culantro (set aside a small amount for garnish before serving). Mix everything together once more until well combined.
STEP 6
Place the Spicy glass noodle salad with crab sticks into a plate. Garnish with roasted peanuts, shopped coriander and culantro for a beautiful presentation. It is now ready to be served.
This is a dry-style glass noodle salad where the noodles are soft but not mushy. It has a variety of textures from the addition of stir-fried minced pork, dried shrimp, and fragrant roasted peanuts. The flavor is a delicious mix of sour, salty, and spicy absolutely addictive and so enjoyable to eat. Most importantly, even hours after it's made, the noodles don't become soggy and still taste just as delicious.
NOTE:
Friends, you can add other types of protein you like, such as squid or shrimp. Just cut them into small pieces (not too big, so they blend well with the glass noodles), boil until cooked, and add them in.
How is my menu today?
It's my favorite lunch, both delicious and filling. Eating food we love makes us happy, doesn't it?
Thank you all for stopping by. See you again next time! 🤗
