Asian•healthy
Som Tam (Thai Papaya Salad)
This authentic som tam recipe teaches how to make Thai papaya salad using unripe green papaya, bold dressing, and traditional technique.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 chilies (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 yard long beans (cut into 1-inch sizes)
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- ⅓ cup roasted peanuts
- 2 tbsp palm sugar
- ¾ lime (sliced)
- 3 cups green papaya (shredded)
- 3 small tomatoes (halved)
- 2 tbsp dried shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Prep vegetables: Peel and julienne the green papaya. Halve the tomatoes and cut the yard-long beans into 1-inch (2 cm) pieces.
- 2
Pound aromatics: Add garlic and chilies to a mortar and pestle and pound just until broken down.
- 3
Bruise beans & peanuts: Add the long beans and peanuts, and gently pound until lightly bruised but still crisp.
- 4
Make dressing: Add fish sauce, palm sugar, and lime juice. Lightly pound and stir to dissolve and combine.
- 5
Finish: Add lime peels, papaya, tomatoes, and dried shrimp if using. Gently pound and toss until coated. Serve immediately.