I cook and bake less in the summer than I do in other seasons. Perhaps the hot weather outside prompts me to eat more refreshing fruits and lighter, healthier meals. It helps that all the best produce is available this season.
One of the salads that I enjoy the most originated from Indonesia. It consists of boiled or blanched vegetables—usually green beans, bean sprouts, potatoes and cucumbers—served with peanut dressing. Typically, a tad bit of protein like boiled eggs and tofu are added. This salad is a perfect vegetarian meal, although you can take it a step further by adding cooked chicken or cooked shrimp.
Gado Gado shares similar ingredients to a French Nicoise salad, like an Indonesian version of that dish.
Gado Gado
1 cup green beans, trimmed and blanched
1 cup tiny new potatoes, cooked with skin on and cut in half
1 cup bean sprouts, blanched
1 cup shredded green cabbage
½ of English cucumber, sliced
2 roma tomatoes, quartered (or any favorite variety)
½ cup purchased fried tofu, cut into ½-inch cubes
Peanut dressing
Arrange all ingredients except the dressing on a large platter. Pour warm dressing over salad.
Servings: 4-6 side dishes or 2 main dish salads
Peanut Dressing
1 15-ounce can coconut milk
2 tablespoons red curry paste
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup brown sugar or palm sugar
1 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
½ cup ground peanuts
Heat coconut milk over medium heat until bubbly. Add curry paste to milk, stir until blended. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring it back to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for ten more minutes. Keep in a refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up 6 months. Makes about 1 ½ cups.