COCONUT PAD THAI

Coconut Pad Thai image

Provided by Roxanne Klein

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 26

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Almond-chile Sauce
1/2 cup raw almond butter*
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced serrano chile with seeds
1 to 2 tablespoons water
Tamarind vinaigrette
1/2 7-ounce block tamarind with seeds**
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
Pad thai
1 cup (packed) very thinly sliced Napa cabbage
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
2 large young Thai coconuts (also called white coconuts), outside husk cut away, cracked open with hammer, drained
1 1/2 cups matchstick-size strips peeled carrots (from 2 large)
1 cup matchstick-size strips red bell pepper
1 cup mung bean sprouts
1/2 cup matchstick-size strips seeded English hothouse cucumber
1/4 cup slivered fresh basil
Fresh cilantro sprigs

Steps:

For almond-chile sauce:
Combine all ingredients except water in blender or processor. Puree until smooth. Thin with water by tablespoonfuls, as desired. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
For tamarind vinaigrette:
Combine tamarind and enough hot water to cover in medium bowl. Let stand until pulp softens, breaking apart occasionally with fork, about 1 hour. Using slotted spoon, transfer tamarind pulp to sieve set over bowl. Press pulp through sieve, leaving seeds behind. Measure 6 tablespoons pulp into medium bowl (discard remaining pulp). Whisk in remaining 4 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
For pad thai:
Combine cabbage, cilantro, and lime juice in small bowl; toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 30 minutes.
Using small heavy knife, pry large pieces of soft coconut meat out of shells. Slice coconut very thinly into 2- to 3-inch-long strips.
Combine carrots, red bell pepper, bean sprouts, cucumber, and basil in large bowl. Toss with just enough almond-chile sauce to coat lightly.
Arrange 1/4 of cabbage mixture on each of 4 plates. Top with coconut and mixed vegetables. Drizzle tamarind vinaigrette and more almond-chile sauce over, if desired. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.
*Available at natural foods stores. **Tamarind is a legume with large brown seedpods. The pulp is used in Indian, Thai, Caribbean, and Latin American cooking. The pulp is sold in block form and is available at Indian markets.