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Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

Green Papaya Salad

Rika
It’s one of the most popular Thai Street Foods and a common appetizer/salad sold at many Thai restaurants.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Thailand

Equipment

  • Mortar and Pestle

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups shredded green papaya, (see recipe notes)
  • 2 tablespoon roasted peanuts, (divided)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2-3 Thai red chili peppers, (use more or less according to your liking)
  • 1 tablespoon dried shrimp,
  • ⅓ cup chopped green beans
  • ¼ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
  • 1½ tablespoon Thai fish sauce, (use more according to your liking)
  • 1½ tablespoon palm sugar, (use more according to your liking)
  • 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice, (use more according to your liking)

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, cover the dried shrimp with hot water. Let stand for 5 minutes, then drain.
  • In a large mortar and pestle, pound the garlic, and chilies until there are no more big chunks.
  • Add dried shrimp and 1 tablespoon of roasted peanuts to the mortar, then pound until blended. No need to pound too hard.
  • Pour the fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice into the mortar and stir to dissolve the sugar.
  • Add green beans and tomatoes, then lightly pound them as well.
  • Add the green papaya, then mix all the ingredients until the dressing is coating all the green papaya.
  • Scrape the mixture into a large bowl. Toss with one tablespoon of chopped peanuts.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

To Shred Papaya: Use a mandoline or Julienne Peeler 
If you don't have a mortar and pestle, just use a knife to finely chop up the garlic, chilies, dried shrimp, and peanuts. Then mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. 
 
 
 
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