Cambodian Banana Blossom Salad
A refreshing and vibrant salad featuring thinly sliced banana blossoms, fresh herbs, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy-sweet dressing. It's a celebration of textures and balanced flavors, embodying the essence of Khmer cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 medium Banana blossom(outer tough leaves removed, thinly sliced and soaked in lime water)
- 1 cup Bean sprouts(fresh and rinsed)
- 0.5 cup Carrots(julienned)
- 0.5 cup Cucumber(thinly sliced into matchsticks)
- 0.5 cup Fresh mint leaves(roughly chopped)
- 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro leaves(roughly chopped)
- 0.25 cup Thai basil leaves(roughly chopped)
- 0.5 cup Roasted peanuts(crushed)
- 2 tablespoons Fish sauce(or soy sauce for vegetarian option)
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice(freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon Palm sugar(grated or finely chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic(minced)
- 1 small Bird's eye chili(finely chopped, adjust to spice preference)
- 0.5 teaspoon Sesame oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the banana blossom: Remove the tough outer leaves. Thinly slice the tender inner parts and immediately submerge them in a bowl of water with a tablespoon of lime juice. Let soak for 10 minutes to prevent browning and reduce bitterness.
- 2
Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, minced garlic, chopped chili, and sesame oil until the sugar dissolves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- 3
Drain and rinse the banana blossom slices thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared banana blossom, bean sprouts, julienned carrots, cucumber, mint, cilantro, and Thai basil.
- 4
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine. Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- 5
Garnish with crushed roasted peanuts and serve immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking the banana blossom in lime water is crucial for both preventing discoloration and mellowing its natural astringency.
- ✓The balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in the dressing is key to an authentic Cambodian flavor profile.
- ✓For a heartier salad, consider adding shredded poached chicken or grilled shrimp.
🔄 Variations
- Add shredded cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- Include thinly sliced bell peppers or cabbage for extra crunch.
- For a vegetarian version, omit any meat and ensure your fish sauce is a vegan alternative or use salt.