There are many variations of this salad in south-east Asia. As green papaya is not easy to get hold of, shredded carrots, cucumber or green apple may be substituted. Serve this salad with raw white cabbage and rice.
ingredients
serves 4
1 medium green papaya
4 garlic cloves
1 tbsp chopped shallots
3 - 4 red chillies, seeded and sliced
2 tsp salt
2 - 3 French or green beans, cut into 3/4 inch lengths
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp superfine sugar
juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts
sliced red chillies, to garnish
method
1. Peel the papaya and cut in half lengthways, scrape out the seeds pith a spoon and finely shred the flesh.
2. Grind the garlic, shallots, chillies and salt together in a large mortar with a pestle.
3. Add the shredded papaya a little at a time and pound until it becomes slightly limp and soft.
4. Add the sliced beans and tomatoes and lightly crush. Season with fish sauce, sugar and lime juice.
5. Transfer the salad to a serving dish, sprinkle with crushed peanuts and garnish with chillies.
more information
If you do not have a large pestle and mortar, use a bowl and crush the shredded papaya with a wooden meat tenderizer or the end of a rolling pin.
