six servings

Although a relative newcomer to the Far East, corn has become a popular vegetable in Asia. Try this fresh-tasting salad which is delicious with freshly-picked sweet corn as well as frozen corn on the cob. The dish is a light, but filling meal and it is especially nice during the warmer weather.

8 ears sweet corn, husked or about 5 ½  cups

4 roasted bell peppers, (from the jar) drained on paper towels

1 pound medium-size cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and buterflied along the back

3 ½  tablespoons minced scallion greens

Sesame-Cilantro Vinaigrette:

¼ cup low sodium soy sauce

¼ cup clear rice vinegar

1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon virgin olive oil

Juice of ½ lemon ( 2 ½ to 3 tablespoons

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves or scallion greens

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)

2 cups shredded Boston or Romaine lettuce

1. Cook the corn in a large pot of boiling water, about 3 to 4 minutes, or steam over high heat for 5 minutes, until cooked. Drain the corn, if necessary, and cool under cold, running water. Using a sharp knife, cut off the kernels. (There should be about 5 ½ cups.)

2. Cut the red peppers to small dice about 1/4-inch square. (There should be about 1 ½ cups.)

3. Place the corn, bell peppers, shrimp, and scallions in a serving bowl. Add the ingredients of the Sesame-Cilantro dressing and toss lightly with a spoon until the ingredients are evenly mixed and coated with the sauce.

4. Arrange the shredded lettuce on a serving plate or in a shallow bowl and spoon the corn salad on top. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

© Copyright Nina Simonds 2009.

This rice is fragrant and delicious. I think it goes especially well with grilled, steamed, or roasted meat and seafood. You can use basmati or jasmine white rice but adjust the measurements accordingly.

2 cups basmati brown rice
4 cups water

Herbal Seasonings:
¾ cup minced scallion greens
¾ cup cilantro leaves rinsed, drained, blotted dry and chopped
½ cup flat leaf or curly parsley sprigs, rinsed, drained, blotted dry and chopped
2 tablespoons fruity olive oil
1 ½tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste

1. Put the rice in a bowl and using your fingers as a rake, rinse the rice under cold
 running water to remove some of the talc. Drain the rice in a strainer.
2. Put the rice and water in a heavy, 3-quart saucepan or pot with a lid. Heat uncovered until boiling.  Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and craters appear on the surface.
3. Remove from the heat and add the Herbal Seasonings. Fluff the cooked rice lightly with a fork to separate the grains and mix the seasonings evenly with the rice.  

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 6
© Copyright Nina Simonds 2008