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Thai Corn Cucumber Salad

A vibrant salad combining sweet corn and crunchy cucumbers, enhanced with a zesty dressing and a spicy kick from Thai chilies.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 ear sweet corn (about 165 g kernels) Fresh is best!
  • a pinch salt
  • 1 salted duck egg (optional but highly recommended) For authentic flavor.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to 3 pieces Thai chilies, to taste Adjust based on your heat tolerance.
  • 1.5 Tablespoons palm sugar, finely chopped Can substitute with brown sugar or coconut sugar.
  • 1 heaping tablespoon dried shrimp, roughly chopped Can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
  • 1/3 cup long beans, cut into 2-inch pieces Can be replaced with green beans.
  • 1 small tomato, cut into wedges on a bias
  • 1.5 Tablespoons fish sauce Ensure gluten-free for dietary needs.
  • 3 Tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 cup julienned cucumber English or Persian cucumbers recommended.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Add the sweet corn and boil for 6-7 minutes. Remove the corn from the water and sprinkle salt on all sides, allowing it to cool completely.
  2. Once cooled, lay the corn on its side and slice the kernels off the cob, trying your best to keep the kernels together in large pieces. Set aside.
  3. Cut the salted duck egg in half and scoop out the egg in one piece with a spoon. Cut one half of the egg into chunks for the salad, saving the other half for garnish.
Mixing the Salad
  1. In a mortar and pestle, pound the minced garlic and chilies until there are no more chunks. Add the palm sugar and continue to pound until mostly dissolved.
  2. To the mortar, add the chopped dried shrimp and long beans. Pound briefly to crush the long beans. Next, add the tomato wedges, fish sauce, lime juice, and a few pieces of lime rind. Pound gently to mix and slightly crush the tomato.
  3. Finally, add the cucumber, corn, and chunks of salted duck egg. Toss everything together to combine well.
Serving
  1. Plate the salad and artistically arrange the wedges of salted duck egg on top for a beautiful presentation.

Notes

Taste as you go and adjust spices per your preference. Store leftovers in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.