| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 150 | 6g | 1g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 5g | 7g | 1.22g |
I sometimes like to eschew the burgers and bagels of my New York roots and dip into a culinary pot simmering with an exotic array of influences from far-flung locales. One of these instances is when I whip up my Green Papaya Salad with Greater Galangal. This intricate blend of fruity freshness exudes a captivating vibrant aroma that ensnares your senses and transports you to the palm-fringed coasts of Southeast Asia.
Salad, Exploring the Depths of Flavor
This salad doesn’t just stop at a tango of textures from the crunch of peanuts to the succulent bite of cherry tomatoes; it offers a fascinating adventure into taste with a fiery kick from Bird Eye chilies, piquant zest from lime, sweetness of palm sugar, and the unique touch of greater galangal roots. Like me, this salad wears many hats. It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it’s tangy, it’s nutty, all dancing together in a mesmerizing ballet of flavors that leaves you craving for more with every bite.
The Performer’s Dish: Health Benefits
As a stage actor, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are not just bursting with flavor but also packed with health benefits. The Green Papaya Salad with Greater Galangal ticks all the boxes. Green papaya is known to aid digestion and boost your immune system, thanks to its vitamin C content (source). Moreover, greater galangal, a spice indigenous to Southeast Asia, brings with it potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits(source). When combined with the lean protein boost of dried shrimp and a healthy sprinkling of vitamin E-packed peanuts, this salad becomes a powerhouse of nutrition.
A Recipe that Plays Well with Others
This salad isn’t just a star on its own; it pairs beautifully with multiple dishes, augmenting their flavor and bringing unique Asiatic flair. It works remarkably well with grilled meats like a simple lemon and thyme grilled chicken, though, for the more adventurous, the distinctive taste of a Thai dish like Pla Neung Manao (steamed fish in lime sauce) complements this salad perfectly. Whether served as a refreshing side dish or savored as a light meal on its own, this Green Papaya Salad with Greater Galangal is bound to win over any palate.
So, the next time you’re craving something fresh, light, and packed full of character, consider an excursion into the bustling food markets in the heart of Thailand. You might not physically be there, but with this recipe, your taste buds are on a one-way ticket to an exotic culinary adventure that embodies the true spirit of this enchanting region.
What You’ll Need
- 2 small green papayas, peeled, deseeded and grated
- 3 large cloves of garlic
- 3 greater galangal roots, finely chopped
- 6 Bird Eye chilies
- 1.5 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of long beans, chopped
- 6 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons of palm sugar
- 4.5 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 6 tablespoons of crushed unsalted peanuts
- 6 tablespoons of dried shrimp
- 1.5 cups of fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed
- 1.5 cups of fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
Method
Step One
Begin by peeling the two small green papayas. De-seed them and grate into a large bowl. Put this aside.
Step Two
Peel and chop three large cloves of garlic and set aside. Next, thoroughly wash the greater galangal roots and finely chop them. The flavor is quite strong so make sure to chop them very finely.
Step Three
Roughly chop six Bird Eye chilies and put them into a large mortar and pestle along with the chopped garlic and galangal.
Step Four
Grind the mixture until you have a fairly rough paste. This will take a few minutes and it’s important not to rush this step.
Step Five
Next, add the halved cherry tomatoes and chopped long beans to the mortar. Lightly crush the ingredients until they start to release their juices.
Step Six
Now add fish sauce, palm sugar, and freshly squeezed lime juice to the mixture. Stir well until everything is combined and the sugar has dissolved.
Step Seven
You can now add the crushed peanuts and dried shrimp into the mixture. Stir well to thoroughly combine all the flavors.
Step Eight
Next, add the grated green papaya into the mortar and use the pestle to lightly pound the ingredients together. You want to make sure that the papaya is well-coated with the dressing and the flavors are fully marinated into.
Step Nine
Finally, add the fresh cilantro leaves and fresh mint leaves. Toss the salad lightly to ensure everything is mixed well. Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. Enjoy your Green Papaya Salad with Greater Galangal!
