Sunday 17 July 2022

Plagoong (Spicy Thai "Shrimp" Salad)

I remember having this as a hot dish at a Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney before I went vegan. I loved the combination of the spicy, sweet and sour. This recipe adapted from Genius Kitchen. I ended up having to remove the chills because it was so spicy!


Pla Goong (Spicy Thai "Shrimp" Salad)

Ingredients

1 head green leaf lettuce, cut
1 lb faux shrimp (substitute for fried tofu, soy curls or chickpeas, drained)
1⁄2 inch gingerroot, cut into thin julienne pieces
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
1 stalk lemongrass, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon brown sugar/palm sugar
2 tablespoons vegan fish sauce
1⁄3 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped green onions
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
15 fresh mint leaves

Method

Put lettuce in salad bowls, and arrange faux shrimp/chickpeas/tofu on top.
Place ginger, onion and chilies over shrimp.
In a small bowl, mix lemongrass, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and black pepper.
Pour over salads and garnish with green onion, cilantro, and mint leaves.
Serve.





Monday 11 July 2022

Vegan Lox (Smoked Salmon)

 I had smoked salmon bagels at a vegan brunch place and was so impressed that I enquired about it. Totally shocked to find out it was just peeled carrots but how did it taste so much like salmon?!? That was when I discovered this was actually a thing people of the internet already knew! I tried a couple of recipe but I liked Love and Lemons the one the best although I added some items to it because I didn't feel like it was "fishy" enough. Another recipe mentioned using caper juice which I love the idea of...I just didn't have any at the time I was experimenting ;)


Vegan Lox (Smoked Salmon)

Ingredients

4 large carrots
Sea salt, for coating
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 Tsp Ume plum vinegar 
1/2 tsp dulse seaweed flakes
Big squeeze fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper


Method

You can choose one of two methods to cook the carrot;

1. OVEN: Preheat the oven to 475°F and line a medium baking dish with parchment paper. 
Coat the bottom with about a good layer of salt, then place the whole carrots in the dish and sprinkle with a good amount of salt.
Roast the carrots until easily pierced with a fork, but not mushy.
Check them, starting around 40 minutes, I turned after 20 minutes. It may take you longer.


2. BOIL: Boil carrots in salted water until tender but not mushy and then place in an ice bath to prevent further cooking.
For the marinade combine ingredients in a bowl/container and whisk.
Remove the carrots from the oven and let cool. 
Use your hands to rub off any excess salt. 

Use a peeler or sharp knife to peel the carrot into ribbons. I used a knife but felt like I didn't get thin
Place the strips in the marinade and toss to coat. 


Transfer to the refrigerator and marinate for 15-30 minutes. Overnight is best.
Serve with bagels, cream cheese, cucumber slices, capers, chives, thinly sliced red onion and/or dill.