Som Tam Recipe (Thai Papaya Salad)

Ingredients

• 2 chilies (adjust to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 yard long beans (cut into 1-inch sizes)
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/3 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 tbsp palm sugar
• 3/4 lime (sliced)
• 3 cups green papaya (shredded)
• 3 small tomatoes (halved)
• 2 tbsp dried shrimp (optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep vegetables: Peel and julienne the green papaya. Halve the tomatoes and cut the yard-long beans into 1-inch (2 cm) pieces.

2. 2

   Pound aromatics: Add garlic and chilies to a mortar and pestle and pound just until broken down.

3. 3

   Bruise beans & peanuts: Add the long beans and peanuts, and gently pound until lightly bruised but still crisp.

4. 4

   Make dressing: Add fish sauce, palm sugar, and lime juice. Lightly pound and stir to dissolve and combine.

5. 5

   Finish: Add lime peels, papaya, tomatoes, and dried shrimp if using. Gently pound and toss until coated. Serve immediately.