Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        ***DRESSING***
  1 1/2    tablespoons  fish sauce
  1           teaspoon  palm sugar
                        OR brown sugar
  1         tablespoon  tamarind pulp -- soaked in
  3        tablespoons  hot water -- strained
                        by pushing through a fine mesh sieve
     1/2      teaspoon  ground chile
  3                     thai bird chiles
                        OR 1 serrano -- chopped
  2        tablespoons  fresh lime juice -- or to taste
                        ***SALAD***
     2/3         pound  fresh squid -- cleaned
     1/4         small  red onion -- thinly sliced
                        to yield approx. 1/4-cup
  1                     lemongrass stalk -- tender
                        bottom part only -- sliced
                        into paper-thin rings
  1              large  roma tomato -- cut
                        into thin wedges
  3                     romaine lettuce leaves; or-4 -- shredded
     1/2           cup  mint leaves

Preparation:

Combine the dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl; set aside so the flavors can develop. Cut the squid bodies into 1/2- inch rings. Leave the tentacles whole. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the squid and blanch until just done but still tender, about 10 seconds. Drain. Rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking. Set aside. Just before serving, combine the squid, all the salad ingredients and the dressing in a large bowl; toss gently. Notes: Thai salads are among my favorite foods. In the summer, I can be very satisfied with just a big serving of this salad and steamed rice. Instead of calamari, you could substitute chicken or shrimp or even a combination of seafood or meats and the salad would be equally delicious. If you can't find tamarind pulp, increase the lime juic

Nutritional Information:

35 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (22% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 1mg Cholesterol; 8mg Sodium