laos papaya salad recipe

Laos Papaya Salad is a popular street food in Laos and Thailand. It is a perfect blend of spicy and sweet that will surely tantalize your taste buds. This dish is made up of shredded papaya, cherry tomatoes, green beans, peanuts, and a special sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.

IngredientsIngredientsQuantityGreen Papaya1 medium sizeCherry Tomatoes10-12 piecesGreen Beans10-12 piecesGarlic Cloves3-4 clovesBird's Eye Chilies3-4 piecesPeanutsHandfulFish Sauce2 tablespoonsLime Juice1-2 tablespoonsSugar1 tablespoon

Note: You can adjust the amount of chili according to your preference. If you want it spicier, you can add more chili, otherwise, you can decrease it.

Instructions

Here are the steps to make Laos Papaya Salad:

1. Peel the green papaya and shred it using a shredder or a sharp knife. Put it in a bowl and set it aside.

2. Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves and add it to the bowl.

3. Cut the green beans into 1-inch pieces and add it to the bowl.

4. Crush the garlic cloves and bird's eye chilies using a mortar and pestle.

5. Add the crushed garlic and chilies to the bowl.

6. Add the peanuts to the bowl.

7. Prepare the sauce by mixing fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a separate bowl.

8. Add the sauce to the bowl and mix all the ingredients well.

Tips

Here are some tips to make this recipe more flavorful:

1. If you want a more authentic taste, use a Thai mortar and pestle to crush the garlic and chili. This will release the flavor and aroma of the ingredients better than using a food processor.

2. Make sure that the papaya is still firm and not too ripe. A ripe papaya will not hold its shape well when shredded and will make the salad soggy.

3. You can also add other ingredients such as carrots, cucumber, or cilantro to add more texture and flavor to the salad.

4. If you want to make it more filling, you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu on top of the salad.

Variations

Here are some variations of Laos Papaya Salad:

1. Laos Papaya Salad with Salted Crab: Add salted crab to the salad for an extra umami flavor.

2. Laos Papaya Salad with Prawns: Use prawns instead of peanuts to add more protein to the dish.

3. Laos Papaya Salad with Mango: Use mango instead of papaya for a sweeter taste.

Conclusion

Laos Papaya Salad is a healthy and refreshing dish that you can enjoy as a snack or a side dish. It is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. Moreover, it is also customizable according to your preference. Make sure to try this recipe at home and enjoy the perfect blend of spicy and sweet.

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