How to Make Pandan Leaf Dressing Salad: A Refreshing Taste of Southeast Asia

Pandan leaf dressing salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Southeast Asian cuisine. This salad is a delightful combination of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a creamy, fragrant dressing made with pandan leaves. The unique flavor of pandan leaves, often described as vanilla-coconut, adds a delightful sweetness and complexity to the salad, making it an irresistible treat for your taste buds.

Whether you’re a seasoned salad enthusiast or just looking for a healthy and delicious meal, this pandan leaf dressing salad recipe is easy to follow and sure to impress.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad:

• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

For the Pandan Leaf Dressing:

• 10-12 fresh pandan leaves, washed and chopped
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Tools You’ll Need:

• Blender or food processor
• Large mixing bowl
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Serving platter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Pandan Leaf Dressing:

1. Blend the pandan leaves: In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped pandan leaves, coconut milk, and water. Blend until the mixture is smooth and the pandan leaves are fully incorporated.
2. Strain the mixture: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a small saucepan. Pour the blended pandan leaf mixture through the sieve, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
3. Simmer the dressing: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Whisk in the lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and salt. Continue to whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing slightly thickens.
4. Cool the dressing: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dressing cool completely before using.

Assembling the Salad:

1. Prepare the vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, bean sprouts, chopped cilantro, and mint leaves.
2. Toss with dressing: Pour the cooled pandan leaf dressing over the vegetables. Gently toss to combine and ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated.
3. Garnish and serve: Transfer the salad to a serving platter. Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts and toasted sesame seeds over the top for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pandan Leaf Dressing Salad:

• Adjust the dressing to your taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar in the dressing to suit your personal preference.
• Use fresh pandan leaves: Fresh pandan leaves provide the best flavor for the dressing. If you can’t find fresh leaves, you can substitute with frozen pandan leaves, but the flavor may be less intense.
• Make it ahead of time: You can prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Pandan Leaf Dressing

Pandan Leaf Salad Ingredients

This Pandan Leaf Dressing Salad is a refreshing and flavorful way to enjoy a taste of Southeast Asia. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can easily recreate this dish in your own kitchen. So why not surprise your family and friends with this exotic and delicious salad at your next gathering? They’ll be sure to ask for the recipe!