Description
A vibrant explosion of flavors and textures, featuring perfectly crisped rice that’s begging to be tossed with a medley of fresh ingredients and a zesty dressing. This dish is a guaranteed crowd favorite, offering a delightful and satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and utterly delicious.
Ingredients
The Very Excellent Dressing:
a 1/2-inch knob of fresh ginger, or a spoonful of ginger paste (note 1)
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons avocado oil, or another neutral oil
1/4 cup lime juice (3–4 small limes)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon chili crisp (more for spicier)
Crispy Rice Salad:
2 cups cooked jasmine rice (note 2)
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 teaspoons red curry paste
2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional)
half an English cucumber, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
1 shallot, thinly sliced or minced (about 1/4 cup)
1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 bunch mint, roughly chopped or torn (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
chili crisp to taste
Instructions
Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth to create the sauce.
Crispy Rice: In a bowl, mix the cooked rice with avocado oil and red curry paste. If the rice does not hold together when squeezed, add the cornstarch. Moisten your hands and mix again. Form the mixture into loose chunks and place in a single layer in the air fryer. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
Assembly: Gently break the crispy rice into smaller pieces. Toss the rice with about half of the prepared dressing and your desired amount of vegetables. Garnish with peanuts and extra chili crisp, if desired.
Notes
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When crisping the rice, it’s important not to add too much at once. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure each grain gets a chance to become beautifully golden and crisp.
Achieve Perfect Crispiness: Resist the urge to stir the rice too frequently when first adding it to the pan. Let it form a nice crust before breaking it up; this is key to that satisfying crunch.
Resting the Rice (After Cooking): After cooking the rice, spreading it thinly on a baking sheet to cool completely helps to dry out the grains slightly, which is essential for achieving the best crispy texture when frying.
Dressing Balance: Always taste your dressing before adding it to the salad. You can adjust the tanginess with more rice vinegar, sweetness with honey, or savoriness with soy sauce to perfectly suit your palate.
Serve Immediately: For the ultimate textural experience, this salad is best enjoyed right after it’s assembled, so the rice stays wonderfully crisp.
- Prep Time: Approximately 15 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired