Thai Green Papaya Salad

This salad is popular in most areas of Thailand, and when you taste it, you'll know why. The slightly tart flavor of the green papaya combines well with the spice of red chili pepper and the saltiness of shrimp paste and fish sauce, plus the sweetness of honey. It's a beautifully unique and flavor-filled salad that will make a great impression at your next potluck, party, or family get-together. It's also easy to make, low-calorie, and very nutritious.

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 green papaya (tip: buy your papaya at a Chinese grocer, and make sure it is labed "green papaya" )
• 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts (or plain roasted), or glazed cashews (see recipe link below)
• 1-2 cups bean sprouts
• 1 to 2 tomatoes, cut into long thin strips
• 1 red chili, minced (seeds removed if you prefer a milder salad)
• 3 spring onions, sliced into long matchstick-like pieces
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped if leaves are large
• handful of fresh coriander
• DRESSING:
• 1/2 tsp. shrimp paste (if vegetarian, substitute with 1 Tbsp. vegetarian fish sauce, or soy sauce)
• 2 Tbsp. good-tasting oil, such as olive
• 1 Tbsp. fish sauce (if vegetarian, use vegetarian fish sauce)
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tsp. honey

PREPARATION:

1. First, prepare the dressing by mixing together all dressing ingredients together in a cup. Make sure shrimp paste dissolves fully. Set aside.
2. Peel the green papaya, then slice it in half and remove all the white seeds.

Using the largest grater you have, grate the papaya (or you can use a potato peeler to create thin, ribbon-like strips). Place in a large bowl.

3. Add the sliced tomato, spring onion, chili, bean sprouts, and most of the basil. Add the dressing, tossing to combine.
4. Add the peanuts or cashews* (you can either leave them whole, or roughly chop them). Toss again, and do a taste test. If you've used sweet glazed nuts, the salad should be sweet enough (if not, add a little more honey). If not salty enough, add a little more fish sauce.
5. To serve, scoop salad into individual bowls or onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining basil leaves plus fresh coriander. Serve immediately and ENJOY!