Lao Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam Lao)

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large mortar and pestle, add garlic and bird's eye chilies. Pound until roughly crushed.

2. 2

   Add long beans, cherry tomatoes, dried shrimp, palm sugar, tamarind paste, fish sauce, Padaek, and lime juice. Gently pound and mix everything together, bruising the long beans and tomatoes to release their flavors. Do not overpound.

3. 3

   Add shredded green papaya to the mortar. Using the pestle and a large spoon, gently toss and bruise the papaya with the dressing. Continue for about 1-2 minutes until well combined and the papaya has absorbed the flavors.

4. 4

   Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with roasted peanuts if desired.