Asian Salad Recipes - Thai Bitter Melon Salad (Yam Malat) Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 skinless chicken breast fillet

• 1 large green bitter melon

For the dressing:

• 5 shallots

• 4 garlic cloves

• 1 large dry chili, roughly chopped

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce

• 2 level teaspoons sugar

• 2 tablespoons coconut cream

• 1 heaped tablespoon dry-fried sesame seeds

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Bring a pan of water to the boil, add the chicken and simmer until just cooked through, about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove and, using the fingers, shred into a bowl.

2. Halve the bitter melon lengthwise, then quarter. Remove the seeds, then slice the melon into 1cm (1/2in) pieces, Dip the bitter melon pieces into the boiling water and briefly blanch, ensuring that they remain al dente. Drain well, place in the bowl with the chicken and set aside.

3. Prepare the dressing: preheat a hot grill. Wrap the shallots, garlic and chilies in foil and grill the parcel for 1 minute on each side,

4. Remove the flavorings from the foil,  place in a mortar and pound to a paste, Stir in the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves.

5. Pour the dressing over the chicken and bitter melon, Stir well. Just before serving, stir in the coconut cream and sesame seeds.