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Thai salads that rule the world

A salad is where it's at, especially when you crack that code of sweet, sour, salty and spicy.

Chicken and lemongrass salad

Source: Rob Palmer

It's all about that crunch!

Thai salads, just like their hot and steamy curries are all about finding that sweets spot between the sweet, salty, sour & spicy. Well, we've done all the legwork and found you ten salads that are a textural delight - that includes this winning recipe of  from Thai week restaurant, Long Chim. #restaurantqualitymadeathome
Soft-shell crab stir-fry with green papaya salad
Soft-shell crab stir-fry with green papaya salad Source: The Chefs' Line Series 2
Oyster, soy and fish sauces, as well as white pepper, are front and centre in this marinade. Layers of marinated beef, roasted rice, pickled eschallots and a spicy, deep-fried shallot dressing are keeping  fresh and utterly delicious. While you can easily serve this as an entree or light main, you can also add 150 g of cooked rice noodles to the salad for a heartier meal.
Thai beef salad with roasted rice
Source: Alan Benson
This spicy yet refreshing prawn offering is an absolute cinch to make and packs a punch with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fresh chilli and mint. The magic really comes from the chilli jam and be sure to use whole green prawns - peeled, cleaned with heads and tails all intact.
Prawn and chilli jam salad (pla goong), photography Brett Stevens
There's a legume that absolutely loves tropical weather and it's called a wing bean. Here Luke Nguyen uses this somewhat unusual ingredient, with a  tangy chilli jam, to make a .
39-wingbeansalad.jpg
Salt 'n' pepper squid: the noodle edition. Dried shrimp, king prawns and squid take to the stage in this Thai street food favourite and it only takes a few minutes before you are eating .
Glass noodle salad with seafood
Source: Alan Benson
Another super-healthy salad, this is light in both texture and flavour. Be sure to use the freshest herbs you can find, and not overcook the chicken so it stays lovely and tender.
Chicken and lemongrass salad
Source: Rob Palmer
All over Bangkok, food vendors pound together this irresistible combination of green papaya, chillies, fish sauce and lime.  Make this salad as tradition dictates with a large mortar and pestle to really amalgamate the flavours and this version is from the  archives.
Green papaya salad
Som tum Source: Brett Stevens
If you think pineapple only has a place in sweet fruit salads and pizza (!) think again. teeters on the sweet and savoury side thanks to the additions of coconut cream, dried shrimp, ginger and a chilli-lime syrup.
Coconut noodle salad
Coconut noodle salad
'Blossom' to your full salad potential by getting this vibrant ingredient at your Thai grocer - chicken salad will never be the same again. Served raw, banana blossoms lend crunch to all sorts of South-East Asian salads and be sure to look for large, firm blossoms without discolouration. To prepare this vegetable, remove the coloured outer leaves until you reach the pale heart, similar to the way you prepare globe artichokes.
Banana blossom
Source: Chris Chen
A Luke Nguyen favourite is this chargrilled squid and herb salad. "For me, it represents everything that I love about Thai cooking. The grilled squid in this dish is light, textural and smoky, tossed with fresh lemongrass and bound in a sweet and spicy dressing. The salty/sour/spicy/sweet notes are in perfect balance..."
Chargrilled squid salad
Source: Alan Benson
Have we got your attention and your tastebuds? airs every weeknight at 6pm on SBS followed by an encore screening at 9.30pm on SBS Food Network. Episodes will be available after broadcast via . Join the conversation #TheChefsLine on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . Check out  for episode guides, cuisine lowdowns, recipes and more!


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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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4 min read
Published 17 August 2018 11:37am
Updated 10 January 2019 2:16pm
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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