Thai food needs no introduction. Every dish has a mature balance of spicy, salty, acidic and sweet. All that with incredible textures. Mmmmm…Yummy! Today’s recipe is a traditional Thai dish that is typically had on the side or as an appetizer. It’s fresh, crunchy, and acidic. It’s worth it! I have added a vegetarian and non-vegetarian version so that all of you can enjoy it 🙂

Time:

• Prep time – 20 minutes
• Cook time – NA

Ingredients:

• Raw papaya (Julienne) – 2 cups
• Garlic (chopped) – 1 tsp
• Small Green chilli – 1
• Lime juice – from 1 lime
• Toasted peanuts – 2 tbsp
• Palm sugar – 1.5 tbsp
• Cherry tomatoes (slit) – 6
• Cilantro for garnish
• Dried prawns – 1 tbsp (OPTIONAL)
• Fish sauce – 1.5 tbsp (OPTIONAL)

Method:

1. Take a raw, firm papaya. Peel it and julienne. Ensure that you don’t have any of the center portions of the papaya
2. With a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic, green chilli and dried prawns.
3. Add the palm sugar, lime juice, tomatoes, and fish sauce to the mortar. Crush lightly with the pestle
4. In a mixing bowl, add the julienned papaya. Pour the above mixture over the papaya and mix well
5. Garnish with cilantro and the roasted peanuts. Ready to serve:)