This Salad of Snake Beans, grated coconut and quintessential fresh Thai herbs is a wonderful showcase of Asian ingredients. Intertwined through the latticework of the snake beans is the ever so flavoursome turmeric and coconut milk dressing. Yum!
If you have purchased frozen coconut, let it defrost. Then dry toast in a saucepan on medium heat for 2 minutes. Toss the grated coconut to get an even toast. Set aside to cool.
Remove the rib of the kaffir lime leaves. Then place them on top of one another and then roll them. Slice very thinly.
Place the Thai basil leaves on top of one another and then roll them. Slice very thinly.
Latticework Instructions
Bring a wide or tall pot of water to the boil. Add snake beans and boil for 3 minutes or until al dente. Remove from the boiling water and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Pat dry and set aside until it cools.
Place 8 snake beans vertically on a plate. Evenly spaced.
Pull down 4 snake beans alternately (i.e. 1,3,5,7) and place 1 snake bean on top, horizontally. Put the original 4 snake beans back on top of the horizontal snake bean.
Pull up the other 4 snake beans alternately (i.e. 2,4,6,8), and place the second snake bean horizontally. Put the original 4 snake beans back on top of the second horizontal snake bean.
Continue this process until all 8 snake beans have been placed horizontally and they have all intertwined.
Adjust the beans until they are evenly spread out on the plate.
Following the natural curvature of the plate, use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut off the snake beans that are sticking out over the plate.
Salad Dressing
In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients of the dressing together.
Mix until well combined.
Assembly
Mix the grated coconut, kaffir lime leaves and Thai basil together. Add half the mixture on top of the snake bean lattice. Add ¼ of the dressing on top.
Add the rest of the coconut and herb mix on top. Add another ¼ of the dressing over it.
Sprinkle the dried shallots on top as a garnish.
Serve the rest of the dressing in a small bowl on the side.
Serve immediately.
Notes
This recipe will only work if you can find snake beans as you need the length to be able to create the latticework. If you’re not fussed about the lattice, then just get green or yellow beans as a substitute.
You will be able to find frozen grated coconut from your Asian grocer in the frozen section. If you’re lucky enough to get fresh grated coconut, lucky you!
Just buy the pre-packaged dried shallots from your Asian grocer.
The grated coconut will absorb the turmeric coconut milk dressing very quickly so it's best to have some on the side so you can add more as you are eating the salad.