Thai Crispy Rice Salad

The most delicious, flavour-packed lunch that is impressive but incredibly easy.

30 minutes cook

Serves 2

IMG_0160 2.jpg

Ingredients

    Roasted veg
  • 1medium aubergine, cut into chunks
  • 100ggreen beans
  • 2 tbspsesame oil
  • 1 tbspolive oil
  • a pinchsalt
  • Dressing
  • 1garlic clove, grated
  • 1 inchginger, grated
  • 1small shallot, very finely diced
  • 1/2red chilli, thinly sliced
  • 1lime, juiced
  • 2kefir lime leaves
  • 2 tbsplight brown sugar
  • 2 tbspsoy sauce
  • 2 tbspsesame oil
  • 1 tbspneutral oil
  • Rice balls
  • 250gcooked sticky rice
  • 2 tbsp(vegan) red thai curry paste
  • 2 tspcornstarch
  • 350mlneutral oil
  • To serve
  • 25gcoriander
  • 15gmint
  • 1/2red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 3lime wedges
  • to servecrushed peanuts
  • 2baby gem

A Thai inspired salad with plenty of fresh herbs, irresistible crispy rice balls and custardy roasted aubergine. It's a real winner - comforting and fresh at the same time. Try it, you'll love it!!

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees or 180 fan. Thickly slice the aubergine into 2cm chunks. Place onto a baking tray and drizzle generously with sesame oil. Roast for 25 minutes until they begin to turn a deep golden brown and soften. Cut the green beans in half and add to the tray with the aubergines and a drizzle more oil, and roast for 10 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, ginger, shallot and red chilli to a bowl and squeeze over the lime and a small pinch of salt. Mix together and let it sit for a minute.
  • Boil some water and pour 70ml over the brown sugar and kefir lime leaves. Leave to sit for a few minutes then pour over the garlic, ginger mix etc. Add the other ingredients for the dressing then set to one side, removing the kefir leaves just before serving.
  • Mix the cooked sticky rice with the thai curry paste, cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Lightly oil your hands then take 1/2 tbsp of the rice and roll into tight balls until you've used all the mixture.
  • Heat the neutral oil over a medium high heat. Add the rice balls once hot, they should bubble immediately. Fry until crispy and golden brown, turning every so often, for around 7-8 minutes. Remove and drain on a rack to remove excess oil.
  • Place the herbs (removing the thick stems from the mint), red onion, aubergine, green beans and fried rice balls, crushing them lightly, into a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing. Season to taste then top with crushed peanuts. Serve with lettuce cups or as it comes, and enjoy!
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    Mia Jacobs

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