Lao Green Papaya Salad

Description
Makes about 4½ cups of salad, about 4 servings.

Ingredients

 * 2½ cups shredded green papaya
 * 4 medium red and green serrano chilies (or to taste)
 * 2 large cloves garlic, skinned
 * 1 cup green or string beans, cut 1" pieces
 * 6 cherry tomatoes, cut each in half
 * 2 tsp ground peanuts (optional)
 * 2 tbsp small dried shrimps
 * cabbage and iceberg lettuce leaves

Dressing

 * 5 tbsp lime juice
 * 3 tbsp fish sauce
 * 3 tbsp sugar
 * 4 tbsp finely ground dried shrimps

Directions

 * 1) Using a mortar and pestle, pound chilies and garlic to coarse texture.
 * 2) Add papaya, green beans, tomatoes and pound 1 – 2 minutes longer, mixing with a spoon while pounding.
 * 3) Add dried shrimps, peanuts, dressing and mix well.
 * 4) Serve immediately with cabbage and lettuce leaves.
 * 5) Goes well with Thai-style BBQ chicken and steamed sticky rice.