Here's how to make Som Tam, Thailand style:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded green papaya
- 2-3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2-3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1-2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies, minced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large mortar and pestle, pound minced garlic and minced Thai bird's eye chilies until they are crushed and pasty.
2. Add diced tomato to the mortar and pestle and pound until the tomato has released its juice and is lightly mashed.
3. Add shredded green papaya to the mortar and pestle and pound gently to soften the papaya and combine it with the tomato paste.
4. Add fish sauce, fresh lime juice, palm sugar or brown sugar, and salt to taste to the mortar and pestle and mix well.
5. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. The som tam should be a balance of salty, sour, and sweet flavors.
6. Add chopped Thai basil leaves and roasted peanuts to the mortar and pestle and mix gently.
7. Serve the som tam in a bowl or on a plate, garnished with additional peanuts and Thai basil leaves if desired.
Enjoy your fresh and delicious som tam, Thailand style!
