Spicy Thai Green Papaya Salad

1 small green papaya, finely matchsticked
Handful cherry tomatoes
Handful green beans, blanched for 2 to 3 minutes
1 small carrot, finely matchsticked
2 to 3 bird’s eye chillies
2 cloves garlic

The Seasoning
1 to 1½ tablespoons palm sugar
Juice of 1 lime
1½ to 2½ tablespoons fish sauce, to taste
1 tablespoon dried shrimp
Toasted peanuts, for garnish

PREPARATION

1. Start the Dressing Base

Place the bird’s eye chillies and garlic into a pestle and mortar.

Pound gently to form a coarse paste. Avoid completely crushing the chillies unless you prefer extra heat.

Add the cherry tomatoes and lightly bruise to release their juices.

Add dried shrimp and pound briefly to combine.

2. Balance the Flavour

Add lime juice and palm sugar. Pound gently to help dissolve the sugar.

Add fish sauce gradually, tasting as you go to balance saltiness.

The dressing should taste sweet, sour, salty and spicy in harmony.

COOKING

3. Add the Vegetables

Add the blanched green beans to the mortar and lightly bruise to help them absorb flavour.

Add the finely matchsticked green papaya.

Using the pestle, gently pound and fold at the same time. This bruises the papaya without breaking it.

Add the carrot and mix through.

4. Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Transfer to a serving dish or serve directly from the mortar for a rustic presentation.

Garnish with toasted peanuts.

Serve immediately.

School of Wok Tips

• Use a pestle and mortar to bruise, not mash, the ingredients.

• Add fish sauce gradually and taste as you go for proper balance.

• Blanch green beans briefly to soften slightly but retain crunch.

• Matchstick the papaya finely so it absorbs dressing evenly.

FAQs

What is Som Tam?
Som Tam is a traditional Thai green papaya salad known for its bold sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavour profile.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes? Omit dried shrimp and replace fish sauce with light soy sauce or vegetarian fish sauce.

How spicy should it be?
Authentic Thai versions use many chillies, but you can adjust the heat level to your preference.