Green Papaya Salad

"Papaya is easily found in all parts of Thailand and Southeast Asia. It is an inexpensive ingredient for a snack or a meal. This salad gives you energy and because of the spicy chilies, it wakes you up. It is found in almost every home and many people eat it in the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up."

Prep Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 fresh green papaya
• 1 tomato, cut into small pieces
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar (substitute brown sugar if not available)
• Small handful peanuts, to your taste
• 3 long green beans, cut into small pieces
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• Thai chilis, depending on your preferred spice level**
• 1/4 clove garlic
• Special equipment: mortar and pestle

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash and peel green papaya and cut into small strips using a knife or mandoline.
2. Combine papaya, tomato, chili, green beans and carrots in mortar.
3. Add fish sauce, lime juice and palm sugar and combine.
4. Add garlic.
5. Add Thai chilis according to your preferred spice level**
6. Mix all ingredients together with mortar and pestle and serve.

** Annie’s spice meter:

• 1 chili is mild
• 2 to 3 chilis make it medium
• 4 to 5 chilis make it a little spicy
• 6 chilis and up make it burn your ass!

Recipe © Annie Toborowsky(2020); Recipe © David Toborowsky(2020)