Som Tum Tidbits

Introduction to Som Tum

Som Tum, or Green Papaya Salad, is a vibrant and fresh dish popular in Thai cuisine. Its origin traces back to the vibrant streets of Thailand, where it's typically sold by street vendors and in local markets. The dish is widely celebrated for its perfect balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. Each bite offers a crunchy and refreshing taste that embodies the essence of Thai food culture.

Ingredients

• Green Papaya - Shredded, serving as the base of the salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes - Halved, adding a burst of sweet-tart flavor.
• Green Beans - Cut into bite-sized pieces, providing texture and freshness.
• Carrots - Julienne cut, enhancing the salad with color and crunch.
• Garlic - Peeled and minced, offering a robust taste.
• Thai Chilies - Crushed, delivering the iconic heat.
• Peanuts - Roasted and crushed, providing nuttiness and crunch.
• Lime - Juiced, imparting a zesty tang.
• Fish Sauce - Salty and umami-rich for authentic flavor.
• Palm Sugar - Balancing sweetness to the dish.

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the green papaya. Peel the papaya and use a julienne peeler or a sharp knife to shred it finely. The green papaya should be crisp and firm.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes and set them aside. Trim the ends off the green beans and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
3. Julienne the carrots and combine them with the shredded papaya and green beans in a large mixing bowl.
4. Mince the garlic and crush the Thai chilies using a mortar and pestle. Adjust the number of chillies according to your heat tolerance.

Cooking Process

1. In a small bowl, mix together lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar until the sugar dissolves. This will serve as the dressing for the salad.
2. Add the garlic and chilies to the dressing mixture and stir well.
3. Pour the dressing over the papaya salad and gently toss all the ingredients until well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
4. Top the salad with crushed peanuts for added texture.
5. For an authentic touch, use a large wooden pestle to lightly pound the salad in a big clay mortar and pestle before serving. This step allows the flavors to meld better, but it can be skipped if a mortar is unavailable.

Serving Suggestions

Som Tum is traditionally enjoyed with sticky rice and grilled meats such as chicken or beef. It makes an excellent side dish or a refreshing appetizer. The salad can also be served as a main dish by adding a protein of your choice such as grilled shrimp or tofu. Enjoy with your favorite Thai beverages to complement the heat and flavors.

Cooking Time

The preparation of Som Tum takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. Adjustments can be made to fit faster preparation by organizing ingredients in advance. Use a cooking timer to manage your prep and cooking efficiently.