Shrimp & Banana Blossom Salad Recipe: A Fresh Vietnamese Delight

Shrimp and banana blossom salad is a fresh, refreshing dish, beloved by many on hot summer days. This dish is not only simple and easy to make but also highly nutritious, thanks to the perfect combination of sweet, fresh shrimp and crispy banana blossom. Join So Tay Mon An (Our Cookbook) as we explore how to prepare this delicious shrimp and banana blossom salad.

Ingredients

To make shrimp and banana blossom salad, you will need to prepare the following ingredients:

• 300g fresh tiger prawns
• 1 banana blossom
• 1 carrot
• 1 onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint)
• Roasted peanuts (optional)

How to Make Shrimp and Banana Blossom Salad

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

• Tiger prawns: Wash thoroughly, peel, remove heads and devein. Boil the prawns in water with a pinch of salt and a dash of vinegar to maintain their natural crispness and sweetness. Once cooked, remove and let cool, then slice in half.
• Banana blossom: Remove the outer layers, cut off the stem, and thinly slice. Soak the sliced banana blossom in water mixed with a little salt and lime juice to prevent browning.
• Carrot: Peel, wash, and julienne.
• Onion: Peel, wash, and thinly slice.
• Red bell pepper: Wash, deseed, and julienne.
• Fresh herbs: Wash thoroughly, pat dry, and chop.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

• Combine 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and the juice of 1 lime. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

• Drain the soaked banana blossom thoroughly. Place the banana blossom in a large bowl.
• Add the tiger prawns, carrot, onion, red bell pepper, and fresh herbs to the bowl.
• Pour the dressing over the ingredients and mix everything well. Let the salad marinate for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

Step 4: Plate and Serve

• Transfer the salad to a serving plate, sprinkle with roasted peanuts if desired.
• Shrimp and banana blossom salad can be served with shrimp crackers or rice paper for added flavor.

Beautifully presented shrimp and banana blossom salad

Tips and Suggestions

• Choose fresh tiger prawns: For a more delicious salad, choose fresh tiger prawns with shiny shells and a natural aroma.
• Soak banana blossom: Soak the banana blossom in diluted salt water with lime to maintain its color and crispness.
• Adjust seasoning: You can adjust the amount of sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, and lime to your taste for a perfect salad.

Thinly sliced banana blossom for salad

Conclusion

Shrimp and banana blossom salad is a dish that is not only delicious but also very easy to make. With detailed instructions and helpful tips from So Tay Mon An (Our Cookbook), you can easily prepare this fresh and nutritious salad at home. Try it now to experience the wonderful flavor of shrimp and banana blossom salad and share it with your family and friends!