LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2017

SEASONAL  SALADS ON THE SIDE

A larb is a salad of sorts. Usually comprised most- ly of meat, they’re emblematic of Laotian and Northeastern Thai cuisine. Dressed pretty simply with herbs, lime juice, fish sauce, ground dried rice and wicked amounts of chili, this meatless version shares a similar flavour profile. Adding cooked rice is not at all traditional (though the salads are always eaten with rice), but this mod- ern take is better for it—it makes a great side to grilled fish of any sort. While the black rice, often labelled Forbidden Rice, makes a beautiful salad, any husk-on medium grain rice can be used, but avoid those labelled glutinous. 1 cup (250 mL) black medium-grain rice 1¼ lbs (625 g) shiitake mushrooms, trimmed of stems 3 tbsp (45 mL) peanut, grape-seed or canola oil ¼ cup (60 mL) Thai fish sauce ¼ cup (60 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice 1 tbsp (15 mL) brown sugar 1 Bring a medium-size pot of salted water to a boil, add rice, cover and cook for 22 to 25 minutes or until rice is al dente. Drain, add to a large bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature. 2 Slice mushroom caps into ¼-inch-wide (5-mm) strips. Place in a large steaming basket and set over a pot or wok of boiling water. Cover and steam for 7 minutes or until mushrooms are ten- der. Remove basket from pot and let mushrooms stand, uncovered, until no longer steaming, about 5 minutes. Add to rice bowl and set aside. 3 In a separate small bowl, combine oil, fish sauce, lime juice and sugar; whisk until sugar is dis- solved. Stir in chilies and pour dressing over rice mixture. Add shallots and mint; toss to combine. Salad is best the day it’s made, served at room temperature, but will keep, covered and refriger- ated for up to 3 days. Serves 6 1 to 2 red Thai chilies, finely chopped ½ cup (125 mL) thinly sliced shallot 1 cup (250 mL) loosely packed mint leaves, chopped or torn

BLACK RICE & MUSHROOML A R B

WHAT TO SERVE  Grange of Prince Edward Gamay Noir VQA LCBO 615062, $17.15 Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Dry Sherry LCBO 375097, $15.10

120  FOOD & DRI NK EARLY SUMMER 2017