Gluten-Free Thai Spicy Green Papaya Salad – Som Tam

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded green papaya
2 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
2 tablespoons fish sauce (make sure it's gluten-free)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar
2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, coarsely crushed
1-2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
2-3 long green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces (optional)
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

In a mortar and pestle, pound the minced garlic and chopped Thai bird's eye chilies together until they become a rough paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can mince them together with a knife.

In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar (or brown sugar). Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the shredded green papaya to a large mixing bowl.

Pour the dressing (fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar mixture) over the green papaya. Toss well to coat the papaya evenly with the dressing.

Add the pounded garlic and chili paste to the papaya. Toss again to mix everything together.

Add the tomato wedges and long green beans (if using) to the salad. Gently toss to combine.

Taste the salad and adjust the flavors to your liking. You can add more fish sauce, lime juice, or sugar as needed to achieve the desired balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.

Transfer the spicy green papaya salad to a serving platter or dish.

Sprinkle the coarsely crushed roasted peanuts over the top of the salad.

Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, if desired.

Serve your gluten-free Thai Spicy Green Papaya Salad – Som Tam as a refreshing and tangy appetizer or side dish. Enjoy the bold and spicy flavors of this traditional Thai salad!