How to make Som Tam | Thai Papaya Salad Recipe

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt + water

Soy sauce is easier to find and suitable for vegetarians.

green papaya

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: cucumber

Zucchini or cucumber can mimic the texture and freshness.

peanuts

🥗Healthier: sunflower seeds

💰Cheaper: almonds

Sunflower seeds offer a similar crunch with less cost.

chili peppers

🥗Healthier: bell peppers

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Cayenne provides heat without the cost of fresh chilies.

Peel the green papaya by cutting off the top and bottom, then shaving long strips down the sides.

Wash the papaya with clean water to remove the milky residue after peeling.

Using a sharp knife, create tiny slices into the papaya, then slice off to get rustic shaved pieces.

If there are any white seeds inside, remove them with a cocktail stick or spoon as they are bitter.

Place the shaved papaya in the fridge.

In a mortar and pestle, add small cloves of garlic and a couple of tablespoons of palm sugar.

Add MSG to the mortar with the garlic and sugar.

Add 2 chili peppers to the mortar and crush all the ingredients together to create a fragrant paste.

Slice long beans into 2-inch pieces and add them to the mortar, crushing them slightly to release their flavor.

Add roughly cut grape tomatoes into the mortar.

Cut limes in half, squeeze out the juice, and discard the seeds, then add the lime juice to the mortar.

Add tamarind to the mixture for balance.

Pour in fish sauce and add dried shrimp to the mortar.

Add pre-roasted and halved peanuts to the mixture.

Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly to combine the flavors.

Transfer the mixture to a serving dish.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens