A simple recipe for making traditional Thai papaya salad

Sure, here’s a simple recipe for making traditional Thai papaya salad, also known as “Som Tum.”

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized green papaya, peeled and shredded
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 5-6 Thai bird chilies (adjust to your spice preference)
• 2 tablespoons dried shrimp, optional
• 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts
• 1-2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 1-2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• Lime juice from 1-2 limes
• 2 cups of mixed vegetables (long beans, cherry tomatoes, carrots, etc.)
• Salted crab or pickled fish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Papaya:
   • Peel the green papaya and shred it using a grater or a knife.
2. Make the Dressing:
   • In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and Thai chilies together until they form a coarse paste.
   • Add dried shrimp (if using) and continue pounding.
   • Add roasted peanuts and lightly crush them.
3. Combine Ingredients:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded papaya, tomatoes, and other vegetables.
4. Make the Sauce:
   • In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, tamarind paste, lime juice, and palm sugar. Adjust the quantities to achieve a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.
5. Mix and Toss:
   • Pour the dressing over the shredded papaya and vegetables.
   • Toss the ingredients together using salad tongs or your hands, ensuring that the dressing coats everything evenly.
6. Adjust Seasoning:
   • Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preferences. You might need to add more fish sauce, lime juice, or sugar to achieve the desired balance.
7. Serve:
   • Transfer the Som Tum to a serving plate and garnish with additional peanuts and lime wedges.
   • Optionally, add salted crab or pickled fish for extra flavor.
8. Enjoy:
   • Serve the Thai papaya salad immediately, and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Note: Som Tum can be quite spicy, so you may want to adjust the amount of Thai chilies based on your spice tolerance. Additionally, feel free to customize the ingredients and proportions to suit your taste preferences.