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.