Easy summertime Surimi Salad with Curry Mayo Dressing.
What is Surimi?
Before we get to my new favorite salad recipe, I would like to explain what surimi is.
The most common surimi type in this world, and the one used in this recipe post are the imitation crab sticks.
Fish Surimi, lobster and oyster are another common surimi variation.
The orange shaded crab sticks mostly contain a mixture of fish, lobster, oyster, and crabs.
Seafood is washed a gazillion times, beaten and pulverized to create a fine paste.
Some people might argue that surimi is not exactly the best food, but some of them eat other processed foods and of course pink sausage slices, so I don’t see why I should pretend to be a hypocrite when I like to enjoy surimi occasionally.
Where did Surimi originate?
Surimi is not a contemporary food invention.
The practice of drying fish ingredients and turning them into a paste seems to have originated around China and Japan centuries ago.
Nowadays, surimi is popular all over the world and most probably if you have enjoyed sushi, you will have come across surimi.
Surimi Salad with Curry Mayo inspiration
I noticed a difference in surimi quality and the way they were packed and stored in Europe. The surimi sticks in Europe break apart much easier and the flavor intensity is way less. They pack the surimi in pairs and store them in a regular fridge.
I discovered surimi as a child back at home in France. It’s a very popular snack in France and it’s that common there that people have successfully incorporated surimi in salad recipes such as the North African tabbouleh.
This year I even came across big packs of orange surimi crab sticks sold together with a mayo curry dip. It was a scourging hot summer day and before we traveled to the Fort Mahon beach in Picardy, we stopped at a supermarché to buy our picnic beach lunch.
We grabbed a few surimi packets, drove and took over a spot on the beach before we completely enjoyed the surimi.
At the beach, I got the ingenious clairvoyant idea to turn the curry mayo dip into a surimi salad dressing.
How to use Surimi sticks?
Surimi are enjoyed as they are, you don’t cook them further.
You can just dip them into a fitting dipping sauce such as a yogurt lemon dip or a curry mayo dip.
You can cut them into thin strips and make a sandwich (if you want I have a great recipe for that too), or add to raw salads or simply create surimi sushi.
Crab sticks are versatile and they can enhance the flavor dimensions of a dish 3 folds.
If you enjoy fish, prawns, and crabs, and you are curious, you will enjoy this surimi salad with curry mayo dressing too.
My Goan husband loves them too and he keeps on asking me to buy them and add them to our lunch.
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Surimi Salad with Curry Mayo Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
For the Curry Mayo:
- 3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise or Homemade Mayo
- 1 Teaspoon Curry powder
Instructions
- Use store bought Mayo or create my 5 minute homemade mayo and then add the curry powder and mix it well.
- For the salad; first rinse, dry and clean the lettuce leafs from any impurities and shred into bite size pieces. Rinse and cut the tomato into half and into thin slices. Rinse, peel and cut cucumber into slices as well.
- Unpack the surimi and cut into smaller pieces. Toss everything together and cover and mix with the curry mayo dressing. Enjoy your salad.
Well, having a French husband we do make mayo from scratch but have never made it with curry. What a delicious idea for this kind of cool lunch, perfect for summer. No, I could actually eat it in winter, too. And yes, I love surimi too.
Mouth watering salad. Looks yummy.
Now that I know what surimi is, I will admit that it is a product that I have always avoided. My few experiences with it have not been good. However, I have been seeing it more and more in quality fish markets. The simplicity of your healthy salad is perfect for this time of year when many of us need a break from all of the heavy preparation foods and high calorie foods. I've had curried crab dishes in Asian restaurants, and it is a combination that I love, so looks like I'll be giving surimi another chance. Thanks!
Mj, are you allergic to crab meat? Because my husband is but he has no problem eating surimi, thank god because he loves the crab sticks.
what a beautiful and enticing looking salad Helene. I think surimi is better known as crab sticks in this part of the world. A perfect, satisfying choice. Your curry mayo dressing has got me all aflutter - gorgeous idea!
Curry mayonnaise sounds fantastic! I also like surimi and this salad looks delicious.
It looks like a very delicious salad.
Hi Helene,we learnt so much about surimi reading this wonderful post...though we are vegetarians,have a number of friends who would love to try these sticks with salad and sandwich...this sure will come in handy,thanks so much for sharing this information 🙂
That curry mayo dressing looks wonderful Helene! And I used to buy and eat a lot of surimi when I lived in Japan. It's a bit harder to get here but not impossible but I don't eat it that often but I really do like it 🙂
love the dressing I could use that on so many different things!
I'd seen this in Europe but didn't know what it was. I learn nifty things from you, Helene!
I've never heard of surimi so you've once again introduced me to something new. I do love the look of your salad and a curry mayo is always a great treat xx
Surimi can have really great flavor! I love using it in Crab Rangoon. Had no idea the product was as old as it is, though -- great info. And a really nice recipe. I'm with Rosa -- curry mayo is such good stuff!
A lovely salad! I love curry mayo.
Cheers,
Rosa