Good old days and the Summer

Every summer is an exciting season for Minnesotans. Most of us are busy in the summer with gardening herbs and flowers. Planting herbs are always handy for the home cooks. When home-grown herbs are available, it is easier for me to plan for the meal.

In summer, we have local "farmers' markets" which are in town weekly basis. As I can get fresh vegetables, I usually make this particular mixed vegetable salad as a side dish. And it is also a healthy option for a low-calorie diet. By paring that dish with chicken curry and coconut rice make a perfect meal.

One memory of that dish come to my mind because today is full moon day. Once on the full moon day, when we were little, my mom took us to a traditional religious occasion at the big monastery with our late grandaunt. My mom brought big food carrier of home cooked food for the large group of people who were praying and fasting for the day. Mom said this was the good dish suitable for such functions. A childhood sweet memory associated with this occasion is making of new friends there and playing around the temple. But sadly, I never saw them again as that was my only trip there.

The beauty of this dish is that there is no need to include any specific vegetable. It consists of leafy vegetables, green beans, and shoots. The basic ingredients are cabbage, green bean, water spinach (On Choy in Chinese), bamboo shoots, okra(lady's finger), cauliflowers and of cause roselle leaves too. That roselle leaves make that dish more appetizing and hint of tartness like salad dressing.

Burmese Style Mixed Vegetable Salad (Thanut Soan) 4 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup  Boiled blanched chopped cabbage
1/2 cup  Boiled blanched sliced okra
1/2 cup  Boiled blanched chopped Long bean ( can substitute with green bean)
1/4 cup  Boiled sliced bamboo shoots
1/4 cup  Boiled roselle leaves.
1/2 cup  Boiled blanched Cauliflower
2 Tbsp   Crispy Shallot onion oil
1 tsp      Salt
1 tsp      Fresh squeeze lemon
1 Tbsp   Toasted sesame seeds ( coarsely ground )
1 Tbsp   toasted peanut ( Finely pounded)
3 counts Roasted dried Red pepper. (To Garnish)

Instruction

1. In the bowl, Add the onion oil, Lemon Juice, salt together and mix.
2. Then add all the blanched vegetables, grounded peanut and sesame seeds in the same bowl.
3. Mix all the ingredients together. Add salt to your own taste.

(Note: We may add other variety of vegetables)