We have a Papaya tree in our backyard and today morning i noticed granpa asking the gardener to bring in the only papaya fruit on it. It was raw and green, but he said we can make a dish out of it and so had asked the gardener to pluck it. But then, gramma said lunch menu was already set and cant add one more dish. I spotted it a while later and immediately bells went off in my head. I was transported to Benjarong and the plate of Raw Papaya Salad that i love having there. Called “Som Tam”, this is a popular Thai salad. It has all possible textures and flavours, and is quite light as well.
So, here is how i made the salad.
Ingredients:
1 small raw [green] papaya
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
2 tomatoes- remove seeds and cut into thin long strips
1 cup blanched green beans
1 carrot grated/chopped lengthwise, same as the papaya
1/2 Green capsicum- cut same as the papaya
Optional-
Spring onions & some crushed garlic
1 red chili, sliced, seeds removed (optional)
Few Basil and Coriander leaves.
Salad Dressing-
2 tsp. soya sauce
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil/peanut oil
3 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Preparation:
- In a bowl, add all the vegetables and mix them well..
- In another cup, mix all the dressing ingredients, stirring till sugar dissolves and the dressing becomes one uniform liquid. Taste and adjust depending on your preference.
- Pour the dressing on the vegetables and toss till well mixed.
- Finally, put in fridge, add a liberal amount of peanuts and serve cold.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cooking time: 10mins [ blanching beans]
Serves: 3-4
