PAPAYA SALAD (SOM TAM)
Award-winning chef Andy Ricker teaches you how to make the famous Thai salad as you've never had it before, with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty. Bonus: Learn how to shred papaya the way they do at roadside stands in Thailand! We've never seen anything like it.
Provided by Andy Ricker
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut off both ends of papaya. Use a vegetable peeler to remove green skin. To shred the papaya, hold it in one hand and use a knife to rapidly chop long, shallow cuts into the surface (making sure all the cuts run lengthwise, in the same direction). Then, thinly slice off the top layer into a bowl. This Thai method of shredding results in papaya strands that are pleasingly irregular and rustic. (Once you get the hang of it, it gets easier and you'll get much faster, but another option is to use a peeler with a shredding blade.) Shred ⅓-½ of the papaya, about 2 loosely packed cups; make sure there are no seeds.(Reserve the rest of the papaya for a different use, or for additional servings of papaya salad.)
- Salad: Place the clay mortar on a towel to keep it stable. To the mortar, add garlic, chiles, and softened palm sugar. Using a long spoon (to mix) and the pestle (to pound), pound and mix the chiles and garlic to break them up, about 10 seconds. Add two quartered pieces of Key lime, and continue pounding and mixing just enough to release juices, 10 seconds. (From this point on, pound lightly to bruise the ingredients and release flavors; do not smash.) Add shrimp; pound lightly, then mix for 5 seconds.
- Trim the long beans and slice into 2½-inch pieces; you should have about ¼ cup of long beans. Add to the mortar; pound lightly to bruise, then mix for 5 more seconds. Add papaya, fish sauce, tamarind water, and lime juice. (To make tamarind water from tamarind pulp: boil 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp; let cool for 30 minutes; strain.) Use the pestle to lightly pound the salad to the bottom of the mortar, and the spoon to turn the salad over, about 1 minute. Add halved cherry tomatoes, lightly pound, then mix, 10 seconds; add peanuts and toss with the spoon. (Do not pound the peanuts, as they will release oil and make the salad greasy).
- Serve: Place cabbage wedge on the edge of a serving platter. Arrange papaya salad on platter and serve immediately.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
Joseph Aristondo
[email protected]I would not recommend this recipe. It's a waste of time and ingredients.
Hs Emon
[email protected]This salad was a disappointment. The flavors were bland and the textures were mushy.
Ahmad Ch
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly, but my salad didn't turn out as good as I hoped. I think I might have used the wrong type of papaya.
marlie martinez
[email protected]This salad is a bit too spicy for me, but I can see how it would be a hit with people who like spicy food.
Nichola Witherspoon
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of papaya, but I really enjoyed this salad. The flavors were well balanced and the textures were perfect.
Anele Zama
[email protected]This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables.
Wai Lay
[email protected]I love the combination of flavors in this salad. The sweet papaya, the spicy chili peppers, and the sour lime juice all come together perfectly.
crazette
[email protected]This salad is so easy to make, and it's always a crowd-pleaser.
Janae Clyburn
[email protected]I've made this salad a few times now, and it's always a hit. My friends and family love it.
Rashid Gaming yt
[email protected]This salad is a bit spicy, but it's not too hot. I think it's the perfect amount of spice.
MD razon Hossen
[email protected]I love the addition of the peanuts and shrimp to this salad. They add a nice crunch and flavor.
Jivraj Gautam
[email protected]This salad is a great way to use up leftover papaya. I always have a few papayas on hand, and this is a great way to use them up before they go bad.
plsYz
[email protected]I was a bit hesitant to try this recipe because I'm not a big fan of papaya, but I'm so glad I did! The papaya was perfectly ripe and the salad was delicious.
Aigiveaway Worldwidedata
[email protected]This salad is so refreshing and flavorful. It's the perfect summer dish.
tnsyas
[email protected]I love how easy this recipe is to follow. I'm not a very experienced cook, but I was able to make this salad without any problems.
Abdullah Srarah
[email protected]This papaya salad was a hit at my last party! The flavors were so well balanced and the textures were perfect. I'll definitely be making this again.