GRILLED VEGETABLE AND RICE SALAD WITH FISH-SAUCE VINAIGRETTE

Grilled Vegetable and Rice Salad with Fish-Sauce Vinaigrette image

Provided by Zakary Pelaccio

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Salad:
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
Vegetable oil
12 okra pods
3 ears of corn, shucked
2 large zucchini, halved lengthwise, centers scooped out
2 long red chiles (such as Holland or Anaheim), stemmed
1 small eggplant, cut lengthwise into 1" slices
1 tablespoon sea salt
Dressing and assembly:
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon palm sugar or (packed) light brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce (such as nuoc nam or nam pla)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 cups (loosely packed) mixed fresh tender herbs (such as basil, cilantro, fennel fronds, marjoram, mint, and tarragon)
4 cups steamed jasmine rice
Ingredient info: Look for unsweetened shredded coconut at natural and specialty foods stores and some supermarkets. Anaheim chiles, also known as California chiles, are available at Latin markets and many supermarkets.

Steps:

For salad:
Preheat oven to 250°F. Spread out coconut (if using) on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring often, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool on pan.
Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. Brush grill grates with oil. Meanwhile, combine okra, corn, zucchini, chiles, eggplant, and salt in a large bowl; drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Grill vegetables (use a grill basket if you have one), turning frequently, until crisp-tender and lightly charred, about 8 minutes. Place chiles in a medium bowl; cover tightly with plastic to let steam for easy peeling. Set chiles aside for dressing.
Cut corn kernels from cobs; place in a large bowl. Cut zucchini and eggplant into irregular 1" pieces; place in bowl with corn. Trim any tough tops from okra and cut okra in half lengthwise; add to bowl. Set aside.
For dressing and assembly:
Peel or scrape off charred skin from chiles and discard. Purée chiles (with seeds) and garlic in a food processor or mash with a mortar and pestle until a coarse paste forms. Add sugar and process or pound until dissolved. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice.
Drizzle dressing over warm vegetables; add herbs and toasted coconut (if using); toss well.
Scoop steamed rice onto a platter and top with salad.