Thai Style Duck and Green Papaya Salad
These are very hot little firecrackers from the orient. They can be used to add spice to almost any oriental dish. They dry very easily and can be stored and used this way for a long time.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp raw long-grain rice
2 tbsp dried shrimp, chopped (optional)
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 Thai chile, chopped
1 tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts
1 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tbsp granulated sugar
4 small plum tomatoes, chopped
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp Asian fish sauce
1 1/2 lb green papaya, peeled and cut into long thin strands on a mandoline
1 large carrot, cut into long strands on a mandoline
2 shallots, thinly sliced
3 tbsp cilantro leaves
3 tbsp mint leaves
4 oz dried rice vermicelli, soaked in water for 20 minutes and drained
2 boneless Pekin duck breasts (6 oz each) – fat trimmed, skin scored in a crosshatch pattern
salt
Instructions:
Yield: 4 servings
In a small skillet, toast the rice over moderate heat, tossing, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer the rice to a mortar or spice grinder and let cool completely. Pound or grind to a powder. In a large mortar (or food processor), pound the dried shrimp until coarsely ground. Add the garlic, chile and peanuts and pound coarsely. Add both sugars and pound to a paste. Add the tomatoes and pound to coarsely crush them. Stir in the lime juice and fish sauce.
In a large bowl, toss the green papaya, carrot, shallots, cilantro and mint leaves. Add the tomato dressing and toss well.
In a saucepan of boiling water, add the drained rice noodles. Cook until just al dente, about 30 seconds. Drain and return the noodles to the saucepan. Fill the saucepan with cold water and swirl. Drain and repeat 3 times to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Drain the noodles in a colander and lift them up a few times to release excess water.
Heat a medium skillet. Season the duck breasts with salt and add them to the hot skillet, skin side down. Cook over moderately high heat for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until the skin is browned and crisp, about 2 minutes longer. Turn the duck and cook until medium-rare, about 4 minutes longer. Transfer the duck to a carving board to rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the duck breasts crosswise.
Add the rice noodles to the green papaya salad and toss well. Transfer to a platter. Arrange the duck slices on top. Sprinkle with the toasted rice powder and serve.
From cherryonmysundae.blogspot.com