Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)

Green papaya salad is the most popular salad in Thailand and is commonly sold in street stalls, especially in the North of the country. This refreshingly tart and healthy salad is traditionally made in a mortar (som tam means “sour pounded”), but this recipe uses a more Western-kitchen-friendly method. Often spelled som tum. Called tam mak hoong in Laos.

4 servings

Ingredients

• Green (unripe) papaya (see note) — 1 (about 1 pound)
• Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
• Thai red chilies, minced — 2
• Palm or brown sugar — 2 tablespoons
• Dried shrimp (optional) — 2 teaspoons
• Lime juice — 2 tablespoons
• Fish sauce — 2 tablespoons
• Long beans or green beans, cooked and cut int 1-inch lengths — 1/2 cup
• Tomatoes, seeded and chopped — 1/2 cup
• Roasted, chopped peanuts — 1/4 cup

Method

1. Peel the papaya and cut it in half. Scoop out any seeds and the white coating on the inside of the seed cavity. Using the large holes of a grater or the julienne attachment of a food mandoline, grate or julienne the papaya.
2. Add the garlic, chiles, palm or brown sugar, dried shrimp, lime juice and fish sauce to a large bowl and mix together to dissolve the sugar. Taste, and adjust seasonings. You want a nice balance of sour, sweet, salty and spicy.
3. Add the beans and tomatoes and stir them into the sauce, pressing down on them lightly to slightly bruise the beans and release the tomato’s juice.
4. Add the papaya, toss well and adjust seasoning. Garnish with the peanuts and serve chilled or at room temperature with a side of sticky rice.

Variations

• Other Additions: Try substituting julienne green mango, peeled, grated and squeezed cucumbers, grated carrots or finely shredded cabbage for some of the green papaya if you like.
• Vegetarian Som Tam: Eliminate the dried shrimp. Substitute soy sauce for the fish sauce.
• Some recipes call for tamarind juice instead of lemon juice.

Notes

• Green Papaya: You must use green, unripe papaya for this recipe. Green papayas can usually be found in Asian markets and in many Latin markets. It has a texture similar to cucumber and a lightly tart flavor.

 

Thai Green Curry

This Thai Green Curry Chicken recipe features chunks of tender chicken simmered in a homemade green curry sauce along with healthy vegetables (zucchini and red bell pepper). The result is a gourmet-style Thai green curry that is very aromatic and beautiful to serve (great for entertaining!). The key to good green curry is in not only using the right ingredients, but knowing when to add them. Because this curry is made the same as in Thailand (on your stovetop), I recommend using only smaller pieces or cuts of chicken, allowing for faster cooking and the freshest possible taste. ENJOY!

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: Serves 2 to 3

Ingredients: 

GREEN CURRY PASTE:

• 4 small green Thai chilies, OR substitute 1 to 2 jalapeno peppers
• 1/4 cup shallot OR purple onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-size piece galangal OR ginger, grated
• 1 stalk lemongrass, sliced thinly OR 3 Tbsp. frozen prepared lemongrass
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 3/4 to 1 tsp. shrimp paste
• 1 cup fresh coriander/cilantro leaves and stems, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper (can be purchased at some supermarkets, OR at Asian food stores)
• 3 Tbsp. fish sauce
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice

CURRY INGREDIENTS:

• 4 kaffir lime leaves (can be purchased frozen at most Asian food stores)
• 2 Tbsp. oil for stir-frying
• 1 to 1.5 lbs. (about 0.7 kg) boneless chicken thigh or breast, cut into chunks
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into chunks
• 1 zucchini, sliced lengthwise several times, then cut into chunks
• Generous handful of fresh basil
• Preparation:

  
  

  1. Place all the “green curry paste” ingredients together in a food processor, and process to a paste. If necessary, add a few Tbsp. of the coconut milk to help blend ingredients. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the lime leaves by tearing the leaf away from either side of the stem. Discard the central stem. Then, using scissors, cut leaves into thin strips. Set aside.
  3. Warm a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl around, then add the green curry paste.
  4. Stir-fry briefly to release the fragrance (30 seconds to 1 minute), then add 3/4 of the coconut milk, reserving 2-3 Tbsp. per serving portion for later.
  5. Add the chicken, stirring to incorporate. When the curry sauce comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium or medium-low, until you get a nice simmer.
  6. Cover and allow to simmer 3-5 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.
  7. Add the red bell pepper and zucchini, plus the strips of lime leaf, stirring well to incorporate. Simmer another 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened but still firm and colorful.
  8. Do a taste-test for salt, adding 1-2 Tbsp. fish sauce if not salty enough. If you’d prefer a sweeter curry, add a little more sugar. If too salty, add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk. Note that this curry should be a balance of salty, spicy, sweet and sour, plus bitter (the bitter is found in the fresh basil garnish).
  9. Serve this curry in bowls with rice served separately, allowing guests to add their own. Top each portion with fresh basil, then drizzle over 2-3 Tbsp. coconut milk, and ENJOY!