This pomelo shrimp salad recipe is a delightful blend of sweet, tangy pomelo with succulent shrimp. The dish is light, refreshing, and perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner. The delicious combination of flavors, along with the crunch of peanuts and the savory dressing, makes this salad a unique culinary treat.
One ingredient that might not be commonly found in your home is the pomelo. This is a large citrus fruit that is similar to a grapefruit but sweeter and less bitter. It can be found in most Asian supermarkets or the international section of a well-stocked grocery store. The other ingredients like shrimp, lettuce, peanuts and green onions are quite common and can be easily found.
Ingredients for Pomelo Shrimp Salad
Soy sauce: This brings a savory umami flavor to the salad dressing.
Lime: Adds a tangy freshness to the dressing.
Honey: Gives the dressing a hint of sweetness.
Sesame oil: Provides a nutty aroma to the dressing.
Rice vinegar: Imparts a mild acidity to the dressing.
Pomelo: The star ingredient of the salad, bringing a sweet and tangy flavor.
Romaine lettuce: This is the base of our salad, adding a refreshing crunch.
Shrimp: Adds a succulent and meaty texture to the salad.
Peanuts: Give a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor.
Green onion: Adds a fresh and slightly pungent flavor.
One reader, Dave Crenshaw says:
This pomelo shrimp salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of juicy pomelo, succulent shrimp, and zesty dressing is simply divine. It's a refreshing and satisfying dish that's perfect for a light and healthy meal. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques for Crafting the Perfect Pomelo Shrimp Salad
How to prepare the dressing: Combine soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a bowl and stir until well combined.
How to prepare the pomelo: Cut off the top of the pomelo, score the peel using a sharp knife about ½-inch deep, pry the peel and pith off, pull apart into 2 halves, separate the segments, peel off the membrane, and remove the seeds. Break the segments into bite-size pieces.
How to toss the salad: Toss the pomelo and romaine lettuce in a bowl, top with shrimp, garnish with peanuts and green onion, then drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss.
How To Make Shrimp Pomelo Salad
A quick and easy shrimp pomelo salad that’s full of bright flavors. Pomelo, romaine lettuce, and cooked shrimp are tossed in a tangy and sweet dressing.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Dressing:
- 3tbspsoy sauce
- 1lime,juiced
- 2tsphoney
- 2tspsesame oil
- 2tsprice vinegar
For Salad:
- 1pomelo
- 1romaine lettuce head,chopped
- ½lbshrimp,cooked
- 2tbsppeanuts,chopped, or more to taste
- 2tbspgreen onion,chopped, or to taste
Instructions
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Combine the soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a bowl to make the dressing, then stir until well combined.
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Cut off the top of the pomelo, then score peel using a sharp knife, going about ½-inch deep into the peel
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Pry the peel and pith off the pomelo. Pull apart into 2 halves. Separate the segments, peel off membrane, and remove seeds. Break the segments into bite-size pieces.
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Toss the pomelo with the romaine lettuce in a bowl. Top with shrimp, then garnish with peanuts and green onion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss.
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Serve and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- Add crispy fried shallots for a crunchy texture. In a small saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of light olive oil over medium heat. Add thinly sliced shallots and fry until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel to soak up the oil and cool.
- Add dried chile flakes for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: 161.98kcal
- Fat: 5.73g
- Saturated Fat: 0.84g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.16g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.13g
- Carbohydrates: 18.44g
- Fiber: 5.31g
- Sugar: 9.62g
- Protein: 12.45g
- Cholesterol: 71.44mg
- Sodium: 994.42mg
- Calcium: 112.00mg
- Potassium: 645.27mg
- Iron: 2.23mg
- Vitamin A: 750.46µg
- Vitamin C: 30.90mg
Elevate Your Pomelo Shrimp Salad with This Technique
When peeling the pomelo, it's important to remove as much of the white pith as possible, as it can be quite bitter. A good technique is to use a sharp knife to score the peel, then use your fingers to gently pry it away. This will help you get to the juicy fruit without getting too much of the bitter pith. Also, when breaking the segments into bite-size pieces, try to do this over a bowl to catch any juice that may escape. This juice is packed with flavor and can be added to the dressing for an extra citrus punch.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Pomelo Shrimp Salad
Prep ahead: Prepare the dressing and peel the pomelo in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
Use pre-cooked shrimp: Save time by using pre-cooked shrimp instead of cooking them from scratch.
Multi-task: While the shrimp are cooking, you can prepare the pomelo and dressing to save time in the kitchen.
Organize your ingredients: Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients are organized and ready to use to streamline the cooking process.
Invest in a good knife: A sharp, quality knife can make the prep work quicker and more efficient.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe to avoid wasting time on unnecessary steps or ingredients.
Substitute Ingredients For Shrimp Pomelo Salad Recipe
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, and it has a similar umami flavor that works well in dressings.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon can be used as a substitute for lime to provide a similar citrusy acidity in the dressing.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can be used as a natural sweetener in place of honey, adding a slightly different depth of flavor to the dressing.
sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil can provide a nutty flavor similar to sesame oil in the dressing.
rice vinegar - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar can be used as a substitute for rice vinegar, providing a similar level of acidity to the dressing.
pomelo - Substitute with grapefruit: Grapefruit can be used as a substitute for pomelo, providing a similar citrusy and slightly bitter flavor to the salad.
romaine lettuce - Substitute with butter lettuce: Butter lettuce can be a substitute for romaine, offering a similar crisp texture and mild flavor for the salad.
shrimp - Substitute with cooked chicken: Cooked chicken can be used as a substitute for shrimp, providing a different protein option for the salad.
peanuts - Substitute with cashews: Cashews can be used as a substitute for peanuts, offering a similar nutty crunch to the salad.
green onion - Substitute with chives: Chives can be used as a substitute for green onions, providing a mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the salad.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Shrimp Salad
- Cutting board: A flat surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Knife: Used for slicing, dicing, and chopping ingredients.
- Mixing bowl: Used for combining ingredients and mixing dressings or marinades.
- Whisk: Used for blending and emulsifying ingredients, especially for making dressings or marinades.
- Saucepan: Used for cooking the shrimp or making the dressing.
- Grater: Used for grating lime zest or other citrus zest for the dressing.
- Strainer: Used for draining and rinsing the shrimp or other ingredients.
- Salad tongs: Used for tossing the salad ingredients with the dressing.
- Citrus juicer: Used for juicing the lime for the dressing.
- Paring knife: Used for peeling and segmenting the pomelo.
Interesting Trivia About Pomelo Shrimp Salad
The pomelo, also known as the Chinese grapefruit, is the largest citrus fruit. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to this shrimp salad recipe.
Budget-Friendly Pomelo Shrimp Salad for Home Cooks
The cost-effectiveness of this pomelo shrimp salad recipe largely depends on the availability and cost of the ingredients in your area. Shrimp and pomelo may be pricier, but the salad can be made more budget-friendly by using alternative ingredients. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4: $20-$25.
Is This Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The pomelo shrimp salad recipe is a relatively healthy dish, offering a balance of nutrients from various ingredients. The salad incorporates pomelo, a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can boost immunity and promote skin health. Shrimp is a lean protein source, providing essential amino acids while being low in calories and fat. The romaine lettuce adds dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the dish. The dressing, made with soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar, is a healthier alternative to creamy, high-calorie dressings.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of soy sauce in the dressing to lower the sodium content
- Use unsalted peanuts to further decrease the overall sodium levels
- Incorporate additional vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, or bell peppers, to increase the fiber and nutrient content
- Opt for wild-caught shrimp, as they tend to have a better omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio compared to farm-raised shrimp
- Consider using a healthier sweetener, such as stevia or monk fruit, instead of honey to reduce the sugar content
Editor's Take on This Refreshing Shrimp Salad Recipe
This pomelo shrimp salad recipe is a delightful combination of fresh, vibrant flavors. The tangy and savory dressing perfectly complements the sweet and juicy pomelo, while the succulent shrimp adds a delightful texture. The addition of romaine lettuce provides a refreshing crunch, and the peanuts and green onions offer a satisfying nuttiness and freshness. Overall, this salad is a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and citrusy notes, making it a perfect choice for a light and flavorful meal.
Enhance Your Shrimp Pomelo Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Pomelo Shrimp Salad
Perfect Appetizers and Desserts for a Pomelo Shrimp Salad Menu
Why trust this Shrimp Pomelo Salad Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, featuring the refreshing taste of pomelo paired with succulent shrimp. The dressing, made with soy sauce, lime, honey, sesame oil, and rice vinegar, enhances the dish with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes. The addition of peanuts and green onion provides a satisfying crunch and a burst of freshness. Trust in the quality and authenticity of this recipe to elevate your culinary experience.
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