Sourdough Chili Crab 'Rojak' Salad with Toasted Mantou Croutons

Name: Sourdough Chili Crab 'Rojak' Salad with Toasted Mantou Croutons
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 slices Sourdough Bread; 4 pieces Mantou (Steamed Buns); 200 g Chili Crab Meat; 1 cup Pineapple; 1 cup Cucumber; 1/2 cup Green Mango (or Green Apple); 4 cups Romaine Lettuce; 1 tbsp Shrimp Paste (Belacan); 2 tbsp Palm Sugar (Gula Melaka); 2 tbsp Lime Juice; 1 tbsp Chili Paste; 2 tbsp Roasted Peanuts; 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil

A playful Singaporean-inspired salad that reimagines Rojak as a vibrant bread-based dish. Tangy sourdough meets sweet and spicy chili crab, crunchy vegetables, and crispy mantou croutons, all coated in a fragrant shrimp paste dressing for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Calories

650

Level

Medium

Yields

4 servings

Cost

S$3.91

Season:

☀️ Summer•🍂 Autumn•tropical

Meal Type:

Breakfast•Lunch•Snack•Salad•Bread

Cuisine:

British

Main Ingredient:

Seafood

Mood:

Healthy•Spicy

Ingredients

Servings

4slicesSourdough Bread(Day-old sourdough works best)

S$1.75

4piecesMantou (Steamed Buns)(Fresh or frozen)

S$2.50

200gChili Crab Meat(Pre-cooked, flaked crab meat)

S$7.00

1cupPineapple(Diced)

S$0.75

1cupCucumber(Diced, seeds removed)

S$0.40

0.5cupGreen Mango (or Green Apple)(Thinly sliced or julienned)

S$0.50

4cupsRomaine Lettuce(Roughly chopped)

S$1.20

1tbspShrimp Paste (Belacan)(Toasted)

S$0.30

2tbspPalm Sugar (Gula Melaka)(Grated)

S$0.40

2tbspLime Juice(Freshly squeezed)

S$0.25

1tbspChili Paste(Adjust to taste)

S$0.20

2tbspRoasted Peanuts(Crushed)

S$0.35

2tbspVegetable Oil(For toasting bread and mantou)

S$0.05

Total Cost

S$15.65

S$3.91 per serving

The Method

1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Dice the sourdough bread into 1cm cubes. Toss with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Allow to cool completely.
2
While the sourdough croutons are baking, cut the mantou into 1cm cubes. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the mantou cubes and toast until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Set aside.
3
Prepare the shrimp paste dressing: In a small saucepan, toast the belacan over low heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant (the aroma should be intense). Be careful not to burn it.
4
Remove the toasted belacan from the pan and let it cool slightly. Then, mix it with the grated palm sugar, lime juice, and chili paste in a small bowl. Adjust the chili paste to your desired level of spiciness. The dressing should be a thick, glossy paste.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, diced pineapple, cucumber, and green mango (or apple).
6
Add the cooked chili crab meat to the vegetable mixture in the bowl. Ensure the crab meat is evenly distributed for a flavorful bite.
7
Gently toss the salad with the shrimp paste dressing, ensuring all ingredients are well coated. The salad should have a vibrant, sweet, and savory aroma.
8
Add the cooled sourdough croutons and toasted mantou croutons to the salad. Gently toss to combine.
9
Transfer the 'Rojak' salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle generously with crushed roasted peanuts.
10
Serve immediately. The salad is best enjoyed fresh while the croutons are still crispy. Experience the explosion of flavors - sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory – a true Singaporean delight!

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (300g)

650 kcal / 2720 kJ

Carbs

65g

25% of RDA

Fat

35g

50% of RDA

Protein

25g

50% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

8 g

27% of RDA

Sugar

25 g

28% of RDA

Sodium

850 mg

37% of RDA

Saturated Fat

8 g

40% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a vegetarian option, substitute the chili crab meat with fried firm tofu cubes or grilled halloumi.

Adjust the amount of chili paste to your preferred spice level. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.

To ensure maximum crispness, add the croutons just before serving.

If you cannot find green mango, green apple offers a similar tartness and texture.

If you want to elevate the flavor, add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds along with the crushed peanuts.

Cooking Equipment

Oven

Stove

Large mixing bowl

Small saucepan

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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