Salad - Asian Style

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I am sure many of us are familiar with the common salads like Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Fruit Salad, Egg Mayonnaise and many more. However, I am sure quite a lot of you may not be aware of an Asian Salad called ROJAK. Rojak in Malay means "mixed", but the dish exemplifies the cultural diversity of Singapore, including Chinese and Malay elements in the ingredients. In literal terms, Rojak is a local salad of mixed vegetables and fruits, mixed with a sweet and sour sauce which is made up of local prawn paste, sugar and lime. I feel that this may be a refreshing salad for everyone who is bored with your current usual salads and want a change. This is also a very versatile salad where you can have the best of everything fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and fresh seafood. Ingredients: * 2 cucumbers, peeled and cubed * 100g pineapple peeled and cubed * 100g turnip peeled and cubed * 150g fresh mango * 2 pieces fried beancurd, sliced * 100g bean sprouts * 100g water spinach * 100g jellyfish * 1 tablespoon chopped ginger flower * 1 deep-fried Chinese dough stick, slicedSalad Dressing Sauce: * 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp soaked in 2 tablespoons water * 300g roasted peanuts, grounded (for garnishing) * 3 tablespoons white sesame seeds (dry fried/roasted) * 6 tablespoons black prawn paste * 4 tablespoons sugar * 2 tablespoons lime juice * 1 tablespoon ground dried red chillies, fried in 1 teaspoon oil(optional) Directions: 1. Place the salad dressing ingredients other than the grounded peanuts into the salad bowl and mix well. 2. Place the cucumber, pineapple, turnips, mangoes, Chinese dough sticks and bean curd into the salad bowl. Start tossing and let the sauce coat the ingredients. 3. Blanch the bean sprouts and water spinach for 10 seconds, remove, drain dry and add into the salad bowl. Toss again. 4. Clean the jellyfish and cut into strips, peel, clean and cut into pieces. Place into the salad mix and toss again. 5. Add half the amount of grounded peanuts and mix well. 6. Garnish with the remaining grounded peanuts, roasted white sesame seeds and serve. Note: * You can always add more of your favorite vegetables or fruits according to your preference. * The salad dressing can be increased according to the amount of salad servings you want to make and taste. * For oyster lovers, you may also include fresh oysters. I hope you will like this new idea as much as I have enjoyed it locally back home. Bon Appetit!