Coconut salad, also known as “Gỏi Dừa” in Vietnamese cuisine, is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the natural sweetness and texture of coconut with various ingredients to create a delightful salad. Here’s a basic recipe for a Vietnamese-style coconut salad:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh coconut meat, grated or thinly sliced
• 1 cup of peeled and deveined shrimp (cooked and chopped, optional)
• 1 cup of julienned or thinly sliced carrots
• 1 cup of julienned cucumber
• 1/2 cup of chopped fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, or Thai basil)
• 1/4 cup of chopped roasted peanuts or cashews (optional, for garnish)
• Lime wedges for garnish (optional)

For the Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Red chili pepper or chili flakes (optional, for spice)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Coconut: If using fresh coconut, remove the meat from the coconut shell and grate or thinly slice it. Ensure it’s fresh and tender for the best taste.
2. Prepare the Ingredients: Cook the shrimp if using, chop it into smaller pieces, and set aside. Julienne or thinly slice the carrots and cucumber. Chop the fresh herbs and set them aside. Roast the peanuts or cashews if desired and chop them for garnish.
3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar or honey, minced garlic, and chili pepper (if using). Taste the dressing and adjust the flavors to achieve a balance of sweet, sour, and savory according to your preference.
4. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated or sliced coconut, cooked shrimp (if using), julienned carrots, julienned cucumber, and chopped fresh herbs.
5. Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
6. Serve: Transfer the coconut salad to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts or cashews. Optionally, serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra citrus kick.

Enjoy this vibrant and refreshing coconut salad as a side dish or even as a light main course. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a delightful addition to any meal. Adjust the ingredients and dressing to suit your taste preferences.