GREEN PAPAYA SALAD

This salad appears in many guises in South-east Asia. As green papaya is not always easy to get hold of, finely grated carrots, cucumber, or even crisp green apple can be used instead. Alternatively, use very thinly sliced white cabbage.

Serves :

Preparation Method :

Cut the papaya in half lengthways. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon and discard.
Remove the peel from the papaya, using a swivel vegetable peeler or a small sharp knife.
Shred the flesh finely using a food processor or a vegetable grater.
Put the garlic, shallots, red chillies, and salt in a large mortar and grind to a paste with a pestle.
Add the shredded papaya, a small amount at a time, pounding with the pestle until it becomes slightly limp and soft.
Add the sliced snake or green beans and wedges of tomato to the mortar and crush them lightly with the pestle until they are incorporated.
Season the mixture with the fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice.
Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with the crushed roasted peanuts.
Garnish with the sliced red chillies and serve the salad immediately.