Thai Green Chicken Curry Salad

If ever there was a salad that defined comfort, this is it. The curry paste makes a significant amount (350g), but if you are going to go to the trouble, you may as well make loads. Freeze what’s left over and use it in dressings, soups, marinades and curries. SERVES 4 4 skinned and boned chicken thighs (about 350g) 150ml coconut milk 50g mix of basmati and wild rice 4 heads of baby pak choi (about 200g), stems removed 200g baby courgettes (or 1 large), sliced 60g green beans, each sliced into three 50g edamame beans (or peas) 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 tablespoon fish sauce Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Thai green curry paste

70g fresh coconut (available prepared in supermarkets) 50g fresh ginger, unpeeled 1 shallot, peeled 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 lemongrass stalk, roughly chopped 1 green bird’s eye chilli 60g fresh coriander 1 tablespoon fish sauce Juice of 2 limes n Blitz the ingredients for the paste until smooth. Set aside 100g and freeze the rest. n Place the chicken thighs between two sheets of clingfilm or parchment paper and bash with a rolling pin until really thin. n Mix the curry paste with the coconut milk in a bowl, add the chicken and marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or overnight if you are super organised! n Cook the rice according to the packet instructions. When ready, rinse under cold water and set aside to cool, then place in a large bowl with the prepared vegetables. n Remove the chicken from the marinade, scraping off as much of it as possible, and reserve. Heat a chargrill pan until it is smoking hot and cook the chicken thighs for about 4 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in batches. Set aside and keep warm. n Deglaze the pan with the rice vinegar. Pour in the marinade, 100ml water and the fish sauce and simmer for 3–4 minutes. Taste one more time for seasoning, adding a touch more fish sauce or lime juice if necessary. n Pour the hot dressing over the raw vegetables and rice and mix together. Divide between bowls, top with the warm chicken and serve.