Pomelo Salad with Shrimp and Chicken Goi Buoi Tom Thit Recipe


When I think of Vietnamese food, I think of fresh herbs, crisp shredded vegetables and small tender chunks of meat woven together with bright savory umami flavors. So when it came time for me to think of a dish to submit for June's Delicious Vietnam round-up, I naturally chose a salad that combined many of those wonderful exciting flavors.
This is a salad demonstrates the versatility of Vietnamese cuisine, which incorporates citrus, carrots, jicama, shrimp and chicken among other fresh ingredients. If you can't find pomelo, pink grapefruit is an excellent substitute.

Goi Buoi Tom Thit Recipe
(adapted from Viet World Kitchen)
Salad Mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 medium pomelo or grapefruit 
  • 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
  • 1 jicama, peeled and julienned
  • ¼ cup mint leaves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, leafy tops only
  • 1/4 cup chopped unsalted, roasted peanuts (optional)
Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 generous teaspoon Vietnamese chile garlic sauce
Method
  1. Put the salt in a small saucepan and fill 2/3 with water. Bring to a boil and then add the shrimp. As soon as they've curled up, remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.
  2. Return the water to a boil and add the chicken. When bubbles form at the rim, turn off the heat, cover and let sit for 20 minutes to cook the flesh. Remove and set aside to cool.
  3. Cut the shrimp in the diagonal into large pieces that will blend well with the pomelo and other ingredients. Hand shred the chicken. Set aside.
  4. Cut off one end of the pomelo or grapefruit to reveal its fleshy pith. Then use your fingers and knife to remove the pith so that all that's remaining is the white covered flesh. Pry the pomelo open and split into two parts. Then use a knife, scissors and your fingers to peel away the skin from each segment and remove the flesh. Separate the flesh into bite size pieces and deposit in a bowl.
  5. For the dressing, combine fish sauce, lime juice, water, sugar and chile garlic sauce in a small bowl and stir to dissolve the sugar.

  6. Right before serving, add the shrimp, chicken or pork, carrot, mint, cilantro, peanuts, if using, to the pomelo. Toss with your fingers or tongs to combine well. Add the dressing and toss. Taste and adjust the flavors, as needed. Transfer to a plate, leaving any liquid behind and serve.

I'm sending this over to Deb at Kahakai Kitchen for Souper Sundays and to June's Delicious Vietnam, which is being hosted by Ravenous Couple.

41 comments:

Belinda @zomppa said...

My goodness - those shrimp look so succulent! Love the addition of the citrus.

Unplanned Cooking said...

I love shrimp! I've never tried making Vietnamese food before. Would love to shake things up around here. I'm in a cooking rut!

Chef E said...

You know I love Korean, but never had Vietnamese food before, nor cooked it. I think of Anthony Bourdain when he traveled there and all the wild things he ate!

You salad looks beautiful!

Shrimp shrimp shrimp more for me! I am being a piggy aren't I lol

Asha @ FSK said...

This is so perfect for summer!! I am not a grapefruit fan.. so will use oranges! Perfect!!

La Bella Cooks said...

I can almost taste the combo of the tart grapefruit with the shrimp. Wow, that must be incredible. Very creative, my friend.

Lazaro Cooks said...

Beautiful dish. Great use of pomelo, we produce some fantastic pomelo here in Florida.

I love your blog name...Fresh Local and Best...How can you go wrong with that!

Cheers!

Joanne said...

I've never ventured much into Vietnamese other than Pho and the dish I made for the last Regional Recipes. Which is too bad because I know I would love all of these fresh flavors!

I never really know what to do with pomelo and jicama...thanks for these ideas!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Look fresh and yummy!

Anonymous said...

This is a terrific dish! I love the addition of pomelo, sounds just excellent in combination with shrimp!

Angie's Recipes said...

A light, healthy, yet very flavourful and delicious dish!

The Duo Dishes said...

We've just recently discovered the great flavors of Vietnamese foods! Tried a dish this week that rocked. Great salad idea here.

Deana Sidney said...

I am loving the pomelo with shrimp combination.. wonderful combination of flavors, Christine!

Simply Life said...

oh wow, this looks amazing! what a great idea!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Sweet and fruity flavours. This dish would be welcome anytime:D

Tasty Eats At Home said...

This looks like a refreshing, delicious dish - perfect for summer!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Everything in this dish looks so fresh and delicious! What a wonderful blend of flavors. I wish I could take a bite of that shrimp right now :)

Pam said...

Wow! If I could only reach out and grab that shrimp! The dish looks and sounds delicious and I would've never thought of combining shrimp with grapefruit! Yum!!!

TKW said...

Vietnamese food is my favorite! This salad looks healthy and refreshing--perfect for a hot summer day.

Reeni said...

This looks so fresh and inviting! And we must be on the same wavelength with our shrimp and chicken combination. Totally delicious!

Juliana said...

What a nice shrimp salad...love love the idea of pomelo...makes it so refreshing and pretty :-)

nancy at good food matters said...

WOW. Those shrimp practically leapt off the scene! Gorgeous!
I love adding ruby grapefruit to such a salad, and your dressing has all the right elements. Nicely done!

Mari Nuñez said...

I have never had a pomelo in a salad, but this looks delicious.

Stella said...

Christine, I'm so glad I clicked over here before signing off. My Mom is flying down here in the morning, and she loves stuff like this and gets so impressed when I'm able to make such a dish. I don't have everything listed, but I have something comparable to everything. I'm making it...

Delicious Dishings said...

This looks really tasty. I like the idea of using pummelo or grapefruit instead of the traditional lemon with the shrimp.

From the Kitchen said...

My husband and I had Vietnamese food for the first time a few weeks ago when we were in Houston. It was delicious and beautifully served. I'm now anxious to try it at Le Colonial here in Chicago. I'm also anxious to try this recipe.

Best,
Bonnie

pigpigscorner said...

Interesting pairing shrimps and grapefruit! Looks very refreshing!

Sutapa said...

This dish is really fresh, local and the best. I don't find any other words to describe such wonderful delicious dish!
I am inviting you and all your friends to participate in the give away now running in my blog!
Be Happy.
Always.

Unknown said...

This is like the perfect summer dish. I love the ingredients, It looks so fresh and pretty.
*kisses* HH

Claudia said...

Vietnamese food is always so beautiful and this is no exception. I am craving the tart grapefruit with this. Taste-perfect.

kat said...

Wow, what a fabulous looking salad!

Anonymous said...

Wow, some beautiful dishes since I've been here Christine! xoxo

redmenace said...

Vietnamese food is my all-time favorite. I never get tired of it. So healthy and fresh. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!

Erica said...

This looks absolutely incredible!!!!Healthy and delicious.

Mimi said...

Vibrant and so full of flavor and texture.
Mimi

Lori said...

This look so great, beautiful colors. We were introduced to the pomelo in Thailand and I have been really surprised to find a few here at our local supermarket. I love grapefruit so I'm a big fan.

tasteofbeirut said...

This salad would be very welcome at my table! It is also beautifully photographed!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Such a fresh and gorgeous salad--a great combination of flavors and color. Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays! ;-)

tigerfish said...

I enjoy pomelo in salads - juice and jazz up salad by lots!

OysterCulture said...

Oh my, what an incredibly tasty and refreshing sounding salad. I love the idea of using pomelo. Can't wait to try it for myself.

molly said...

Perfect, this salad. Right up my alley as summer sets in.

Mardi Michels said...

What a perfect summer dish. Love pomelos!