
Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)
Som Tam is a tantalizing Thai delicacy that mesmerizes your taste buds with a delightful medley of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Originating from the northeastern region of Thailand, this refreshing salad is prepared with crunchy green papaya, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp green beans, and toasty roasted peanuts. It's all tossed together with a vibrant dressing that's a quintessential blend of Thai flavors - tangy lime juice, fiery Thai chili peppers, aromatic garlic, umami-rich fish sauce, and the distinct sweetness of palm sugar. Best served chilled, Som Tam is a perfect appetizer or side dish that promises an exotic culinary journey to the heart of Thailand in each bite.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Palm sugar (1 tablespoon)
- Lime juice (2 tablespoons)
- Fish sauce (2 tablespoons)
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
- Thai chili peppers (2, chopped)
- Roasted peanuts (1/4 cup, crushed)
- Green beans (1/2 cup, trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths)
- Cherry tomatoes (1/2 cup, halved)
- Green papaya (2 cups, shredded)
Instructions
- In a mortar and pestle, combine the chopped Thai chili peppers, minced garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and salt. Grind the ingredients together until they form a fragrant, well-blended dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded green papaya, halved cherry tomatoes, green beans, and crushed peanuts.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to combine, ensuring the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This step is crucial as it allows the ingredients to absorb the dressing, intensifying the flavors.
- Serve the Som Tam salad chilled. It pairs well with grilled chicken or sticky rice for a complete Thai meal. Enjoy!
Dietary Information
Servings: 4 • Dish Type: Salad • Prep Time: 20 minutes • Calories: 120 • Fat: 5g • Carbs: 18g • Protein: 3g • Sodium: 570mg • Sugar: 10g