Prawns and White Fungus Salad

Salad is always an appetising dish to serve for dinner especially during hot weather season. Some salads can also be prepared and kept in the refrigerator until serving time, thus reducing the things to do before meal.  I love to cook dishes that can be prepared earlier, way ahead of meal times.  At least there won't be much cleaning to do after meal time.  

Ingredients

[serves 2]

1 whole white fungus - soaked until plumped up, remove the hard centre and cut into small pieces

150 gm prawns - boiled/steamed to cook and shelled
a handful of cherry tomatoes - cut half

1 big onion - sliced thinly

1 red chilli - sliced thinly or 2 red small chillies

1/2 cup mint leaves

some coriander leaves

some roasted sesame seeds

Salad Dressing [Mix together]

1.5 tbsp sugar or to taste

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp chicken stock powder

3 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp fish sauce

1/8 tsp pepper or to taste

a dash of sesame oil 

1. Scald white fungus pieces in hot water for 1-2 minutes.  Drain and soak in icy cold water for 10 minutes.  Drain in colander.
2. Sliced shelled prawns into half and prepare the rest of the salad ingredients as above.
3. Mix all salad ingredients in a big bowl.  Add in salad dressing.  Toss well and transfer to a serving dish.  Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate until serving time.
4. Before serving, garnish with some toasted sesame seeds.

Here are some information obtained from Chinese Soup Pot about white fungus [aka snow fungus].

 

White Fungus Uses and Health Benefits:

• In Chinese medicine, white fungus nourishes and moistens the lungs, as well as improves skin complexion.
• It removes what Chinese medicine calls dryness and heat in the body by moistening and increasing body fluids. White fungus eases physical symptoms like dry skin, chapped lips, thirst, dry nose and throat, constipation, and dry coughs.
• Some clinical data have shown that white fungus has the potential of lowering elevated blood sugar, and an inhibitory effect on cholesterol levels.
• According to a report by Cancer Research UK, white fungus is also used as an immune tonic and for treating debility and exhaustion.