This is a simple and intense salad, that tastes undoubtedly thai.

First, make the dressing. The ingredients should be added to a mortar in the following order:

• pinch of salt
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 2 bird’s eye chillies or one regular red chilli
• pinch of white sugar
• 1,5 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce

It should taste sour, salty and hot.

For the salad:

• 2 tablespoons dried prawns (shrimp)
• 1 small cucumber
• 3 red shallots sliced
• handful of mixed mint and coriander leaves

Grind the dried prawns in an electric mini chopper or coffee grinder until very fine. Wash the cucumber, then cut in half lengthwise and slice finely . Combine cucumber, shallots, mint and coriander, then dress. Arrange on a plate and sprinkle over the dried prawns.

Recipe from : ‘Thai food’ by David Thompson