Som Tam is a popular Thai salad made from green papaya. It is also known as green papaya salad. "Som Tam" literally translates to "sour pounded" in Thai, reflecting the tangy and spicy flavors of the dish.
The main ingredient in Som Tam is unripe green papaya, which is shredded or grated into thin strips. Other common ingredients include tomatoes, green beans, carrots, and peanuts. The dressing typically consists of lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and chili peppers, which are pounded together in a mortar and pestle to create a flavorful sauce.
Som Tam is traditionally served with sticky rice and often accompanied by grilled chicken or other grilled meats. The combination of the tartness from the lime juice, the heat from the chili peppers, and the crunchiness of the vegetables creates a refreshing and vibrant salad that is beloved by many.
It's worth noting that there are different variations of Som Tam across Thailand, with regional differences in ingredients and spiciness levels. Some versions may include ingredients like dried shrimp, crab, or salted preserved eggs. The level of spiciness can also vary, so it's always a good idea to ask for your preferred level of heat when ordering Som Tam.
Overall, Som Tam is a delicious and popular dish that showcases the bold flavors of Thai cuisine, combining sweet, sour, spicy, and savory elements in a refreshing salad.
Som Tam, also known as green papaya salad, is a popular Thai dish known for its vibrant flavors. It typically combines shredded unripe papaya with a tangy, spicy dressing. Here's a basic recipe to make Som Tam:
Ingredients:
- 1 small green (unripe) papaya
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies (adjust according to your spice preference)
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian/vegan version)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
- 2-3 cherry tomatoes
- Handful of green beans
- Handful of roasted peanuts
- Optional: dried shrimp or tofu for added protein
- Optional: fresh cilantro or Thai basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- Peel the green papaya and shred it into thin strips using a julienne peeler or a grater. Place the shredded papaya in a bowl and set it aside.
- In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and Thai bird's eye chilies together to form a coarse paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can finely chop the garlic and chilies instead.
- Add palm sugar (or brown sugar) to the mortar and pestle, and continue to pound until the sugar is dissolved. If you chopped the garlic and chilies, mix them with the sugar in a small bowl.
- Add fish sauce (or soy sauce), lime juice, and tamarind pulp to the mortar and pestle (or the small bowl), and mix everything together to combine the flavors. Adjust the seasonings to your taste by adding more sugar, fish sauce, or lime juice if desired.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters and add them to the bowl with the shredded papaya.
- Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Add them to the bowl as well.
- If you're using dried shrimp, lightly crush them in a mortar and pestle and add them to the bowl. If you prefer tofu, you can dice it into small cubes and add it to the bowl as a protein option.
- Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and toss everything together, ensuring the dressing coats the papaya, tomatoes, and beans evenly.
- Roughly chop the roasted peanuts and sprinkle them over the salad.
- If desired, garnish with fresh cilantro or Thai basil leaves.
- Serve the Som Tam immediately as a refreshing side dish or as a main course with steamed rice or sticky rice.
Enjoy your homemade Som Tam!