How to Make the Perfect Vietnamese Seafood Salad
Vietnamese seafood salad, known as "Gỏi Hải Sản," is a refreshing and vibrant dish that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. Combining fresh seafood with zesty herbs and vegetables, this salad is perfect for a light meal or as an appetizer. Here’s how to make the perfect Vietnamese seafood salad step-by-step.
Ingredients
To create an authentic Vietnamese seafood salad, gather the following ingredients:
- 200g shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 200g squid (cleaned and cut into rings)
- 150g fish (white fish like tilapia or snapper, cut into small pieces)
- 100g glass noodles (bún hoặc miến)
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, and Thai basil
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (chopped)
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Seafood
Start by boiling a pot of water. Add a pinch of salt. Introduce the shrimp and squid to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until opaque. Remove and drain the seafood, and then set it aside to cool. For the fish, you can either steam or grill it lightly with a dash of salt.
2. Cook the Glass Noodles
In a separate pot, boil water and cook the glass noodles according to package instructions. Typically, this takes about 3-5 minutes. Once done, drain and rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Vegetables
While the seafood and noodles cool down, finely shred the cabbage, julienne the carrots, and rinse the bean sprouts. Chop the fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, and Thai basil) and place them in a large mixing bowl.
4. Combine the Ingredients
In the mixing bowl containing the herbs, add the cooled seafood, glass noodles, cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts. Gently toss everything together to ensure even mixing.
5. Create the Dressing
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili sauce if you like it spicy. Adjust the levels of sugar and fish sauce to suit your taste. Drizzle this dressing over the salad mix.
6. Toss and Serve
Toss the salad thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top for added crunch.
Tips for a Perfect Vietnamese Seafood Salad
- Use the freshest seafood possible for the best flavor.
- Feel free to customize the salad with additional ingredients such as avocado, cucumbers, or even mango for a fruity twist.
- For a bit more heat, add sliced fresh chili or more chili sauce to the dressing.
Conclusion
Your perfect Vietnamese seafood salad is now ready to impress! This dish not only brings together a medley of flavors but also offers various textures that are pleasing to the palate. Serve it chilled and enjoy the fresh and tangy experience that Vietnamese cuisine has to offer!