Som Tum ( Thai-Style Green Papaya Salad )
Serves : 4 Total Time : 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the salad : Clay or wooden mortar and pestle 2 cups shredded green papaya ( 1 green papaya ) 2 garlic cloves 2-3 fresh Thai chiles ( stemmed ) 1 tablespoon dried shrimp 2 teaspoons roasted unsalted peanuts 4 cherry tomatoes , halved For the dressing : 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 tablespoon , plus 2 teaspoons palm sugar ( softened )
Tip : Som Tum ingredients can be purchased in most Asian supermarkets or ordered online .
Instructions
1 . Prepare the green papaya : Wash , peel , and cut the green papaya by hand . ( The unripe fruit should feel firm and heavy ; softer papayas will likely be orange and too sweet .) Hold the green papaya in your non-dominate hand while making parallel cuts running lengthwise on the fruit . Then , shave down across the length of it to create shreds . Set it aside .
2 . Pound the salad : In a clay or wooden mortar and pestle , pound fresh chiles and garlic together until slightly broken . Next , add dried shrimp and 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts and continue to pound until broken . Add the softened palm sugar and pound lightly in a circular motion . Tip : Soften palm sugar by microwaving for about 15 seconds . If you are unable to find palm sugar , you can substitute with an equal amount of light brown sugar . Then , add the sliced long beans and pound until broken . Add the tomatoes and pound gently until juices release .
3 . Combine : Add the fresh lime juice and fish sauce into the mortar and mash them together using the pestle until evenly combined . Then , add the green papaya . Pound down the sides of the mortar to ensure the green papaya has absorbed the dressing , for about 30 seconds . Tip : Be sure not to over-pound the green papaya so it doesn ’ t lose its crunch !
4 . Garnish : Serve immediately . Top it off with the remaining peanuts and more chiles ( if desired ). Tip : Pairs excellently with sticky rice .
Snuk ! สนุ ก ! ( Enjoy !).
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DISPATCHES • JUNE 2023 35