Rainforest Salad

I have to be honest, I’m finding it hard to get back into the cooking since I arrived back in Vietnam a couple of weeks ago. Eating out in Ho Chi Minh City is an incredible experience, the dining ranges from cheap street food carts, low plastic chairs on the pavement or 5 star fine dining at affordable prices and really cool cafe’s in between. The good thing is I’ve been collecting a lot of inspiration while eating out and this is how I came about with this rainforest salad. My 7 yo was so excited to eat his ‘tree’ and even more excited that he was allowed to eat it with his hands!

Rainforest Salad

Rainforest Salad

I recently enjoyed a lovely lunch at Villa Song in District 2 (HCMC) and was served one of these lettuce filled cucumbers on the side. Immediately when I saw it I knew my 7 yo would love it. Two of his favourite greens merged together in such a playful way. I had all the ingredients at home as we always have mixed lettuce and cucumbers in the fridge. It is so simple to assemble without much fuss and so pretty to serve!

Rainforest Salad

RAINFOREST SALAD

• 2 cucumbers (or 1 continental cucumber)
• handful of mixed lettuce leaves
• toasted sesame seeds (optional or seeds of your choice) (buy from iherb or amazon)
• extra virgin olive oil
• balsamic vinegar (or dressing of your choice)
• sea salt (buy on iherb or amazon)

Method

• wash and cut the cucumber into 4cm (just under 2 inches – you may get more than 4 cut pieces depending on the size of the cucumber)
• using an apple corer, remove the cucumber seeds (eat them as you go or save them for juicing or smoothies)

Use an apple corer to remove the seeds

• wash and spin dry the lettuce, choose about 4 small pieces of lettuce and stuff into the cucumber

select about 4 small pieces of lettuce to stuff into the cucumber

• sprinkle with sesame seeds if using (or seeds of choice)
• sprinkle with sea salt
• drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or dressing of choice)

stuff the leaves into the cucumber to resemble a tree

• to eat, just pick up with your fingers 🙂
• enjoy! May xx