Balinese-Inspired Spicy Green Bean Salad

This Balinese-Inspired Spicy Green Bean Salad from World Vegan Feast by Bryanna Clark Grogan is a very simplified, North-American version of the Balinese salad “lawar.”  Lawar is fairly complicated to make, and Bryanna didn’t have access to some of the spices need to recreate it at home, but her version is absolutely delicious. Because this dish can be served at room temperature, it’s the perfect dish to serve at summertime picnics and barbecues.

 

Ingredients:

  • 16 ounces seitan cutlets, cut into strips; or matchstick strips of uncooked marinated tofu slices, drained; or 4 cups reconstituted soy curls (4 ounces or 3 cups dry)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons thai red chile paste (fish-free), divided
  • 1 tablespoon cold-pressed peanut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
  • 6 small green onions, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 cups (12 ounces) young green beans, steamed or blanched until crisp-tender
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

 

Preparation:

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the seitan strips, 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, ginger, and 1 teaspoon of the chile paste. Set aside.
  2. In a large, nonstick skillet, heat the oils. Add the green onions and garlic and stir-fry until softened. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon chile paste and red pepper flakes and stir-fry for a minute more. Add the seitan mixture to the skillet and stir-fry to combine the ingredients and heat through. Turn off the heat and add the cooked green beans, coconut, remaining lime juice, and salt. Mix well. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.

 

World Vegan FeastFrom World Vegan Feast by Bryanna Clark Grogan. ©2011 Bryanna Clark Grogan. Used by permission from Vegan Heritage Press.