Pink Grapefruit Salad with Toasted Coconut and Fresh Mint

Recipe by: Nancie McDermott | from Quick and Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes

Cookstr

Course: Cold Appetizer

Total Time: Under 30 Minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

pink-grapefruit-salad-with-toasted-coconut-and-fresh-mint

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

If you like Thai food for its bright flavors, you will find this dish positively dazzling. Thais make it with pomelo, grapefruit’s thick-skinned, misshapen, and sweeter cousin. Pomelo is quite dry, and fairly easy to pull apart by hand. To prepare this salad using the juicier grapefruit, use two forks to gently tease grapefruit sections into smaller chunks. Look for unsweetened shredded coconut in natural food stores, or buy the sweetened shredded coconut available in the supermarket baking section. A little extra sweetness is welcome, and the sugar makes the coconut brown beautifully and fast. To prepare yum some-oh ahead of time, hold the toasted coconut and dried shrimp or peanuts aside until just before serving time, so that they will keep their crunch. Serve with spoons and small lettuce leaf cups for wrapping around the salad and enjoying bite by bite.

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons shredded coconut
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups bite-sized chunks peeled, sectioned pomelo or grapefruit
2 tablespoons dried shrimp, coarsely chopped, or 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped roasted, salted peanuts (optional)
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped shallots
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh hot green chilies or dried red chili flakes
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint or cilantro
Leaves of Boston lettuce or bibb lettuce for accompaniment

Directions

Toast the shredded coconut in a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, tossing often, until most of it turns a rich, soft brown. Turn out onto a saucer to cool.

In a medium bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar and stir well to dissolve sugar and form a smooth sauce. Add the pomelo, toasted coconut, dried shrimp (if using), shallots, chilies, and mint, and toss gently to combine everything well.

Transfer to a serving platter with lettuce leaves on the side, and serve at room temperature.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 82kcal (4%)

Calcium 33mg (3%)

Vitamin C 39mg (65%)

Vitamin A 76mcg RAE (3%)

Potassium 223mg

Magnesium 29mg

Protein 2g

Sugar 12g

Fiber 2g