Som Tam – Thailand

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Thai Green Papaya Salad

Step into the vibrant world of Thai street food with Som Tam, a dazzling green papaya salad that embodies the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors that Thai cuisine is famous for. This refreshing dish stars crisp, shredded green papaya that serves as a neutral canvas for an explosive combination of flavors: pungent fish sauce, zesty lime, fiery Thai bird’s eye chillies, and umami-rich dried shrimp. Sweet cherry tomatoes and crisp green beans add bursts of color and texture, while roasted peanuts contribute a satisfying crunch. Every bite of this authentic Thai salad delivers a harmonious blend of tastes that wake up your taste buds and transport you straight to the bustling streets of Bangkok.

 

Som Tam (green papaya salad)
 
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Nutrition Information
  • Serving size: 100g
  • Calories: 71 kcal
  • Fat: 1.9 grams
  • Saturated fat: 0.2 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 11 grams
  • Sugar: 6.5 grams
  • Sodium: 0.57 grams
  • Fiber: 1.7 grams
  • Protein: 3.2 grams
Recipe type: Salads
Cuisine: Thai
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
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A salad that has to be tried to be believed. Green papaya, which in itself has a fairly non- descriptive flavour, is combined with classical Thai sweet, sour, savoury and pungent notes to provide a taste experience that is simply fantastic. Great for a light summers lunch or as a side for a BBQ.
Ingredients
  • Green papaya – 2 cups ( shredded)
  • Cherry tomatoes– 6 (cut in half)
  • Green beans – 6 (diced)
  • Soy sauce – one teaspoon
  • Garlic paste - one teaspoon
  • Dried shrimp – 1 tablespoon ( see note *)
  • Fish sauce – 1 tablespoon
  • Red Chillies – 2 finely chopped ( Thai Birds-eye or similar)
  • Lime – 1 medium
  • Sugar - 1 to 2 tablespoons ( see note **)
  • Roasted peanuts – one tablespoon ( coarsely ground)
Instructions
  1. Squeeze the juice from the juice into a glass jug
  2. Add the garlic, chillies, sugar, soy and, fish sauces. Stir well
  3. In a salad serving bowl, add the papaya, tomatoes, green beans and dried shrimp. Mix well
  4. Pour the lime juice dressing previously prepared over the salad ingredients
  5. Sprinkle peanuts over the top
  6. Serve
Notes
* Dried shrimps need to be heated through before using. Soak in hot water for 15 minutes prior to using
** Start with one tablespoon, Taste and add more if required

Keywords: Thai green papaya salad

Serves: 2 as a main meal or 4 as a side