Green Papaya Salad

Green Papaya Salad (Som tum) muddled with dried shrimp, fish sauce, roasted peanuts and lime.

Ingredients for Green Papaya Salad:

• 250g. unripe young papaya
• 2-3 long beans halved crosswise (optional)
• 5 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tbsp dried baby shrimp - pound to bruise
• 50g. roasted peanuts or cashews -  coarsely chopped

Green Papaya Salad Dressing:

• 1 1/2 tbsp palm sugar
• 1 1/2 fish sauce
• 1 tbsp green lime juice  (use tamarind in place of lime)
• 1 clove garlic, diced
• 2-3 green chilli padi - coarsely chopped  
• 2-3 red chilli padi - coarsely chopped
• Chopped handful of fresh coriander

How to make Spicy Green Papaya Salad:

1. Peel the green papaya with a sharp knife, then slice it in half and use a spoon to scrape out the 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.
2. Cook long beans in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Rinse under cold water. Cut into 2-inch pieces. 
3. Combine cooked long beans, cherry tomatoes together in the large bowl.
4. Dressing: Combine palm sugar, fish sauce and lime juice. Mix till sugar dissolves. 
5. Add in diced garlic, chilli padi and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.
6. Pour dressing over the large bowl and toss. Sprinkle dried baby shrimp and peanuts over and serve.

Note: You can prepare this salad ahead of time, combine all ingredients except the nuts and the dressing. Leave it covered in the refrigerator  for few hours, or overnight. Add the dressing, dried shrimp and peanuts at the last minute, then toss and serve.

Photo Credit - plumandlion
Recipe Submitted by : Sue

How to make Salted Eggs

Typical Singaporean condiments that go with congee for breakfast, evening or late supper - Salted eggs (Telur Masin). Salted eggs are also in abundance during the Mooncake festival locally. The eggs are used as a filling for mooncakes. Each mooncake costs more with more egg yolks.

Ingredients for Salted Eggs:

• 10 eggs (duck or chicken)
• 480g. salt
• 1 litre water or enough to cover eggs

How to make Salted Eggs:

1. Boil water with salt. Cool.
2. Wash eggs and put in a container (preferably earthen).
3. Pour enough water to cover the eggs. Cover container.
4. Leave eggs in salt water for two weeks before serving.

Note: After 2 weeks, take one egg out and boil for 10-15 mins to test if its taste is salty enough. If not ready, let the rest in the container for a few days more. When it's ready, drain the eggs and wipe dry. Keep them in an egg carton and place in fridge. The salted eggs can be kept for a few weeks in fridge.


Recipe submitted by Agnes Wong.
Image credit - doink20