CRAB AND CANTALOUPE SALAD WITH GINGER AND MINT DRESSING

Crab and Cantaloupe Salad with Ginger and Mint Dressing image

Provided by Alice Hart

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

3 tablespoons shavings of fresh coconut, optional
1 cantaloupe, quartered, seeded and peeled
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1/2 small red onion, very finely sliced
1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped
1 thumb-size piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into fine matchsticks
2 long red chilies, seeded and finely sliced
2 stalks lemon grass, tender portion at base only, trimmed and finely sliced
2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons coconut cream
1 1/2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
1/2 pound fresh white crab meat
2 tablespoons unsalted peanuts, toasted and crushed

Steps:

If using coconut, heat the oven to 325 degrees. Spread the shavings on a baking sheet and toast until crisp and pale golden at the edges, tossing halfway through, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Cut the cantaloupe into thin slices. Using a vegetable peeler, pare the cucumber into long strips, discarding the core. Place on a serving platter, add red onion and mint, and toss.
Finely dice half the ginger and chilies and place in a bowl. Add the lemon grass, fish sauce, lime juice, coconut cream and sugar, and whisk to blend. Taste and adjust dressing if needed; it should be fragrant, sweet, salty and sour.
To assemble: Scatter the crab on the salad and spoon the dressing over it. Top with remaining ginger and chilies, coconut, if using, and peanuts. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 131, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 704 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams