Thai Salads

[bonnielass]

During a recent visit to Bangkok a chef recommended Pomelo salad. I think it's called Yam Som O.
Had never heard of it and found it be be absolutely delicious. Can't believe I'd never seen or tried it before.

Have made it a couple of times at home, there are lots of different recipes on the net, but have yet to make one as good as the restaurant. I like the version with prawns in it.

The Pomelo is an unusual fruit, starts as a big round ball but by the time you peel it and remove the really thick pith, it ends up half the size you started with. Very pleasant taste, not as sour as a grapefruit.

Does anyone know of a restaurant where I could order this dish in Hua Hin?

It's obvious I need to broaden my horizons a bit and try some new things. I normally just go for the good old Thai beef salad.



BL

[dtaai-maai]

Can't help you with your queries, but we frequently use som-O when making a European-style salad. It's one of my favourite fruits here, but sometimes it's too sharp for me to enjoy on its own.

[Dannie Boy]

Never tried it in a salad which I will have to do, but it goes great with pineapple as a refreshing and healthy breakfast.

[Bristolian]

Yam Som O is an old Thai dish and generally you will only find it in a traditional restaurants served as you say with prawn or pork and also often has peanut or cashew nuts mixed in.

I have never found it in HH but I do know a few restaurants in Bangkok that serve it.

[moja]

Believe it or not our dog loves som-o; it is one of the few things he will beg for along with green mango!!!

[Dr Mike]

The pomelo from Asia was taken to the West Indies, Barbadoes, I think.
It was crossed with a variety of orange, the result was the Grapefruit.
I like to drink G'fruit juice for B'fast, if I cant find it I drink Pomelo juice.

[margaretcarnes]

There's a recipe in the Thai cooking book by Periplus for pawpaw salad - I wonder if it is similar? The ingredients are garlic, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, sweet chilli sauce and dried prawns as well as the fruit.

[Bristolian]

Not a cook myself but this seems to outline the basic recipe
Yam som oh (Pomelo and prawn salad)
Ingredients
Serves: 4

For the dressing:
1 big red dried chilli, toasted
2 shallots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons palm sugar
3 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons tamarind juice
For the salad:
1/2 pomelo, segmented with no pith
100g prawns, steamed and sliced thinly
30g toasted coconut flakes
40g peanuts, toasted and chopped
2 shallots, sliced thin and fried until crispy
1 big red chilli, sliced
2 kaffir lime leaves, julienned
5 sprigs coriander, chopped

Preparation method
Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 10 mins
1. For the dressing, pound the chilli, shallots and garlic in a mortar until a smooth paste is formed.
2. Transfer to a small pot with the palm sugar, fish sauce and tamarind juice. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced to a thick liquid. Cool.
3. In a bowl, toss together the pomelo, prawns and dressing. Add the coconut flakes, peanuts and fried shallots. Mix well.
4. Garnish with the red chilli, lime leaf and coriander.

[sandemb]

2 shallots, sliced thin and fried until crispy
Guess I'm lazy, but use the dried packs of shallots, onions and garlic from supermarket sprinkle on top and is taste sensation. Use on curries or anything. If Pomelos out of season, same recipe with oranges work, and also add some rice noodles for a bit of bulk!