Vegan Vietnamese Jackfruit Salad

Step 1

If using toasted sesame Vietnamese rice crackers: Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C). When heated, place the crackers on the baking rack in the middle of the oven and bake until it puffs up and curls a bit, 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes. Use tongs to turn the crackers over. Continue baking until the crackers are crisp and lightly browned.

Step 2

If using Vietnamese rice paper (summer roll wrappers): Heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a skillet large enough to hold one piece of rice paper over medium-high heat. When the oil is barely smoking, add a piece of rice paper. It should puff up almost immediately. If it doesn’t, the oil isn’t hot enough. Use a pair of tongs or chopsticks to press down on the rice paper so that every part of it crisps up. Cook until lightly browned on both sides, flipping as needed, about 20-30 seconds each. Transfer the rice paper to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool. Cook the rest of the rice paper in the same way. Add more oil if the skillet becomes dry at any point. If the oil starts to smoke, remove the skillet from the heat, reduce heat slightly before returning the skillet.

Step 3

If using any of the other chips: No preparation is needed.

Step 4

Drain and rinse the jackfruit and gently squeeze out any excess water. Cut or tear it apart into bite-size pieces, removing and discarding any tough parts.

Step 5

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and season them generously with salt and pepper. Wait 2-3 minutes before moving the mushrooms at all, to get a nice brown blister on the bottom. Flip the pieces and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the other side is browned as well. Transfer the mushrooms to a large salad bowl to cool.

Step 6

Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved (if using) and the ingredients are well integrated.

Step 7

Add the jackfruit, carrot, onion, cilantro, mint, and basil to the bowl with the mushrooms. Add half of the dressing, stir well, and taste the salad. Add more dressing as needed. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fried shallots.

Step 8

Take a chip (or piece of the chip alternative you’re using) and spoon some of the salad onto it. Eat the salad and chip together in a single bite.