Green Papaya Salad

Description

 * Serves 4.

Ingredients

 * 300 g/10 oz/2 cups finely grated green papaya
 * 1 handful tender green beans
 * 2 tablespoons dried shrimp
 * 2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts
 * 1 clove garlic
 * 2 shallots or small purple onions
 * 2 or 3 fresh bird's eye chillies
 * 1 tablespoon fish sauce
 * 1 tablespoon palm sugar
 * lime juice to taste
 * dried chilli flakes (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Peel papaya and shred the flesh or grate into fine, long strands. Cut beans into short lengths.
 * 2) In a blender process the dried shrimp to a floss. Combine with the crushed peanuts and set aside.
 * 3) Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic, shallots and chillies to a paste.
 * 4) Add fish sauce and sugar, then the beans and pound gently so the beans don't lose their shape.
 * 5) Add papaya shreds and pound lightly. Turn out into a bowl, add lime juice and toss.
 * 6) Sprinkle with dried shrimp and peanuts, and if liked, some dried chilli flakes.