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Preparation
15 minutes
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Processing
20 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Winter Melon Salad For 3 people
Shrimp 100 gr Winter melon 1/2 fruit Carrot 1/2 fruit Accompanying herbs A little (Aromatic herbs/ Vietnamese balm/ Vietnamese coriander) Roasted peanuts 2 tablespoons Minced chili 1 teaspoon Lemon juice 2 tablespoons Chili sauce 1 tablespoon Fish sauce 2 tablespoons Sugar 4 teaspoons Salt A little
How to Choose Fresh Ingredients
How to choose crunchy and delicious winter melon
- Winter melon is usually the most crunchy and sweet during the Summer – Autumn season (around May to September).
- To choose fresh winter melon, opt for those of moderate size, weighing between 0.5kg – 1kg. The skin should be firm, green, and have a bit of fuzz on the surface.
- Avoid selecting very large or very small winter melons, as larger ones tend to be old and fibrous, while smaller ones may be less sweet and not crunchy.
How to choose fresh and delicious carrots
- First, when buying carrots, you should prioritize those that are of moderate size. The body of the carrot should be elongated, with smooth skin and bright color.
- Next, you should choose carrots that still have fresh, green leaves and a little dirt sticking to the body. This is also a way to identify newly harvested carrots.
- You should avoid choosing carrots that are wilted, soft, or have wrinkled skin, as these are carrots that have been stored for too long, and when eaten, they will lack sweetness and crunchiness.
How to choose sweet and meaty shrimp
- Fresh and delicious shrimp usually have a hard and transparent shell, allowing you to see the meat inside.
- In addition, when buying shrimp, you should choose those with heads and shells tightly attached to the shrimp meat, and the tails should be curled rather than fanned out.
- Avoid choosing shrimp where the head and shell are detached from the body, or shrimp that have a strange, foul smell, as these are usually shrimp that have gone bad, and the meat will be mushy and less sweet when eaten.
How to prepare Melon Salad
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Prepare the vegetables
Use a knife to peel the melon and carrot, then wash them thoroughly and let them drain. Gradually shred the melon and carrot into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
Next, soak the melon in 1 spoon of salt, then rinse several times with water until clean. Blanch the melon in boiling water for about 3 – 5 minutes, then remove it and soak it in cold water, squeeze dry, and place it on a plate.
The accompanying greens should have any damaged or yellow leaves removed, then soak them in diluted salt water for about 5 minutes, rinse again to clean, and let them drain.
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Prepare the shrimp
Place a pot on the stove, add about 2 bowls (rice bowls) of water into the pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the shrimp and cook for about 5 – 10 minutes over medium heat until cooked.
Then remove the shrimp and let them cool slightly before peeling. You can leave the tails on for a nicer presentation!
Tips for quickly and cleanly deveining shrimp- Method 1: To quickly devein shrimp, make a cut along the back of the shrimp and use the sharp end of a toothpick to scoop out the vein.
- Method 2: Alternatively, you can bend the shrimp’s head and gently squeeze from the tail to expose the vein, then pull it out.
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Make the gỏi bí đao
Mix the gỏi dressing which includes: 4 teaspoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of chili sauce, and 1 teaspoon of minced chili. Use a spoon to stir well until the sugar dissolves completely.
Add the wax gourd, carrots, and prepared shrimp into a large bowl or basin. Then, add 1/2 cup of the gỏi dressing and mix thoroughly.
Finally, add the fresh herbs and the remaining 1/2 cup of gỏi dressing, then mix well one more time to finish.
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Final Product
Serve the salad on a plate, sprinkle some roasted peanuts on top. The crunchy and sweet winter melon salad is combined with a rich and flavorful dressing that is extremely appetizing.
You can enjoy the salad with rice paper or shrimp chips, both are very delicious.
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The dish winter melon salad is crunchy and refreshing, with a sweet and sour taste that is very appealing. Easy to make and delicious, you should head to the kitchen and try it right away. Wishing you success!
