Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transport you straight to the vibrant streets of Thailand! Som Tam, the legendary green papaya salad, is not just a dish—it's a symphony of flavors that dances on your palate with every single bite. Imagine a refreshing blend of crisp, tangy, and spicy elements that will awaken your senses and make your taste buds sing with pure excitement. This isn't just another salad; it's a Thai street food sensation that promises to turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Thai
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups green papaya, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup green beans, cut
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the green papaya. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin off the green papaya. Then, using a grater or a julienne peeler, shred the papaya into thin strips. You should have about 2 cups of shredded green papaya.
- Next, wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Cut each tomato in half and set them aside in a mixing bowl.
- Take the green beans and trim the ends. Cut them into 1-2 inch pieces. Blanch the green beans in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the blanched green beans to the mixing bowl with the cherry tomatoes.
- In a separate small bowl, prepare the dressing by mixing together the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- In the mixing bowl with the cherry tomatoes and green beans, add the shredded green papaya. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Using a pair of tongs or your hands, gently toss all the ingredients together until the papaya, tomatoes, and green beans are well coated with the dressing.
- Finally, sprinkle the crushed peanuts over the top of the salad for added crunch and flavor. Toss lightly to combine.
- Serve the Som Tam Green Papaya Salad immediately, either on its own or as a side dish with grilled meats or rice. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Thai salad!
Tips
- Choose a firm, unripe green papaya for the best texture and authentic flavor. The greener and harder the papaya, the better!
- When shredding the papaya, aim for thin, uniform strips to ensure even dressing distribution and perfect bite.
- For an extra authentic touch, use a traditional Thai mortar and pestle to crush ingredients and blend flavors more intensely.
- Adjust the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar to balance the classic Thai sweet, sour, salty, and spicy profile according to your taste.
- For added heat, include a few Thai bird's eye chilies when preparing the dressing.
- Serve immediately after preparing to enjoy the maximum crunch of the papaya and freshness of the ingredients.
- If you can't find green papaya, you can substitute with green mango for a similar texture and tangy flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
