Southern Thai Rice Salad with Fresh Herbs (Kao Yum Pahk Dai) - Delicious Living

Ingredients

• 2 stalks fresh lemongrass
• 1 cup shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut, toasted
• 6 wild lime leaves, cut crosswise into very thin strips (optional)
• 1 tablespoon ground dried red chili flakes
• 1 cup fresh green beans, thinly sliced crosswise on the diagonal into little ovals
• 1 cup cooked fresh or frozen edamame beans
• 1 cup peeled and diced fresh cucumber (seeded if desired)
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
• 1 cup diced tart green apple
• 1 cup chopped fresh or canned pineapple or grapefruit
• 1 cup dry-roasted, unsalted cashews or peanuts (chopped or whole)
• 6 cups cooked long-grain brown or jasmine rice
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice or white vinegar
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce or other hot sauce