Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)

This particular dish is from the northeastern part of Thailand. It's definitely a favourite among the Thai's and it should be easy to prepare. The below recipe is taken from "Crying Tiger: Thai Recipes from the Heart" by Supatra Johnson. Published by Jasmine Market. (All Rights Reserved) Copyright 2004.

Main ingredients for 4 servings:

1 pound green papaya
2 Thai chilies (add more pepper if you want it hotter!)
1 small clove of garlic
2 strings long bean (cut into 1 inch lengths)
1 tablespoon chopped roasted peanut
5 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
1 teaspoon chopped dried shrimp




Preparation Instructions:


1. Cut papaya in half (lengthwise) and remove seeds. Peel the skin of the papaya and shred the flesh using a shredder or knife (the shreds should be thin and long). In a mortar and pestle, pound the chilies and garlic until they’re broken up. Add the long beans and roasted peanuts, pounding only enough to break them up a little bit.


2. Add the shredded papaya, tomato, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, and dried shrimp, pounding until everything is thoroughly mixed together. This dish should taste sweet, sour, and a little bit salty, so you may need to add more sugar, lime juice, or fish sauce to get the taste you like.