Ouuwhatscooking’s Bok Lahong (Papaya Salad)

Grab some papaya from your Mariano’s and try Alex from Ouuwhatscooking’s Bok Lahong/Papaya Salad!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded green papaya, soak in ice water for 10-15 minutes until they are firmer

• 2-4 cloves garlic

• 2-3 thai chilies

• 2-3 tbsp palm suger, finely chopped

• 1 heaping tbsp small dried shrimp

• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

• 1/2 cup grape tomato halves

• 1 tsp MSG

• 1 tbsp salted crab

• 2 tsp tamarind juice

• 1-2 tbsp fish sauce

• 1/4 cup long beans of green beans

• Add roasted peanuts with basil or Thai basil to garnish

• Side of sticky rice- optional

Instructions:

1. Drain the soaked papaya well and place in a bowl lined with two layers of paper towels to absorb excess water. You want to have as little water on the papaya as possible so as not to dilute the dressing.

2. In a large mortar and pestle, pound garlic and chilies until there are no more big chunks (pieces of chili skin are fine).

3. Add palm sugar and mash with the pestle until it turns into a wet paste and all the chunks are dissolved.

4. Add dried shrimp and tomatoes along with fish sauce, MSG, salted crab, tamarind juice, and lime juice. Stir with a large spoon to mix and dissolve the sugar and then add green beans and pound just until they’re broken.

5. Add shredded papaya and mix using the pound-and-flip method with all ingredients and mix well together.

6. Once everything looks well mixed garnish with roasted peanuts and basil to taste and enjoy!