Thai Style Tomato Salad Food

GRILLED CORN AND TOMATO SALAD WITH THAI BASIL VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Salad: Peel back the corn husks, but do not remove them completely. Carefully pick off and discard the wispy silk threads that are attached to the corn. Pull the husks back over the ears and tie the ends closed with kitchen twine. Soak the corn in large bowl of cold water for 10 minutes. Drain the water, shake off the excess and put them on the grill for 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes until the corn is tender. Remove them from the grill and let the ears cool to room temperature.
• Vinaigrette: While the corn is cooling, prepare the dressing. Puree all the ingredients, except the canola oil, in a blender or food processor. After the mixture is well incorporated, slowly drizzle in the canola oil while the processor is still running. Blend for 30 seconds, then transfer the dressing to a bowl.
• Assembly: Once the corn has cooled, cut the kernels off the cobs into a medium bowl and discard the cobs. Add the red onion and grape tomatoes and mix to combine. Drizzle in 1/2 cup of the Thai Basil Vinaigrette Dressing while lightly tossing the salad together. Reserve the remaining dressing. Gently stir in the basil leaves. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste, and add more dressing, if desired. Serve slightly chilled on serving plates, using a slotted spoon to keep excess liquids in the bowl.

THAI BASIL-TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the dijon and juice. Drizzle in oil. Add the tomatoes and onion and season. Check for seasoning. Can be stored in an air tight container for up to 4 hours before serving. Right before serving, toss with the basil leaves.

THAI CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Peel the cucumber in stripes lengthwise with a vegetable peeler, alternating skinned stripes with peel for a decorative effect. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise, and then thinly slice. Place the cucumber in a salad bowl with the tomato and red onion, and mix together.
• Pour the rice vinegar and lime juice into a separate bowl, and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Pour the dressing over the salad;mix, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

THAI CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Wash and dry cilantro, and chop; wash and dry mint, and chop; mince garlic.
• Combine the cilantro, mint, garlic, lime juice and sugar in a salad bowl.
• Wash, trim and cut the tomatoes into small chunks. Wash, trim and slice the cucumber thinly. Mix the tomatoes and the cucumber with the dressing.

THAI-STYLE TOMATO AND SHRIMP SALAD

Steps:

• Cook shrimp in a 4-quart saucepan of boiling salted water until just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and cool.
• Cut peel and white pith from limes with a sharp knife and discard. Cut lime segments free from membranes, then finely chop enough segments to measure 1/4 cup.
• Mince enough lemongrass from bottom 6 inches of stalks to measure 2 tablespoons total.
• Stir together chopped lime, minced lemongrass, lime juice, bell pepper, scallions, chiles, fish sauce (to taste), sugar, and salt until sugar is dissolved. Toss shrimp, tomatoes, and cucumbers with dressing and top with herbs.

THAI-STYLE TOMATO AND SHRIMP SALAD

Steps:

• Cook shrimp in a 4-quart saucepan of boiling salted water until just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and cool.
• Cut peel and white pith from limes with a sharp knife and discard. Cut lime segments free from membranes, then finely chop enough segments to measure 1/4 cup. Mince enough lemongrass from bottom 6 inches of stalks to measure 2 tablespoons total.
• Stir together chopped lime, minced lemongrass, lime juice, bell pepper, scallions, chiles, fish sauce (to taste), sugar, and salt until sugar is dissolved. Toss shrimp, tomatoes, and cucumbers with dressing and top with herbs.
• *Available at Asian markets and some supermarkets.