Authentic Som Tam Mala: A Spicy Thai Papaya Salad Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups of shredded green papaya
2 long green beans
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cloves of garlic
1 - 3 red Thai bird chilies, to taste
1 tablespoon of dried shrimp
1 tablespoon of unsalted roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon of fish sauce
1 tablespoon of palm sugar
1/2 cup of fresh mala (Sichuan peppercorns)

Steps and instructions

Start by peeling and shredding the green papaya into a bowl. Set it aside.
Chop the long green beans into 1-inch pieces.
In a mortar, pound the garlic and Thai bird chilies into a paste.
Add the dried shrimp and continue pounding until it's well mixed with the chili and garlic paste.
Add the chopped long green beans to the mortar and lightly pound them to crack them open.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and gently pound to release the juice.
Add the shredded green papaya to the mortar and pound it lightly to combine all the ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mix together the lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Pour the sauce over the papaya mixture in the mortar and pound gently to mix well.
Finally, add the mala and roasted peanuts, lightly pound them to release the flavor, and mix well.
Serve the Som Tam Mala immediately, garnished with fresh mala if desired.

Tools for making

Mortar and pestle - Used for pounding and mixing the ingredients.
Peeler - Needed to peel and shred the green papaya.
Knife - Used for chopping the long green beans and halving the cherry tomatoes.
Bowl - Used to hold the shredded green papaya and mix the ingredients.
Spatula - Helpful for scraping ingredients from the mortar and mixing.
Measuring cups and spoons - Required for accurate measurement of ingredients like lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar.

Recipe variations

Adding grilled shrimp or cooked chicken for a protein option
Replacing green papaya with shredded green mango for a different flavor
Using cucumber noodles instead of papaya for a refreshing twist
Adding sliced carrots or bell peppers for extra crunch and color
Substituting palm sugar with brown sugar or honey for a different level of sweetness
Experimenting with different levels of spiciness by adjusting the amount of Thai bird chilies
Adding herbs like cilantro or mint for added freshness
Incorporating crushed peanuts or cashews into the salad for extra nuttiness
Using a combination of lime and tamarind juice for a tangier dressing
Adding a splash of soy sauce or tamari for an umami flavor

Recipe overview

Som Tam Mala is a refreshing and vibrant Thai salad that brings together an array of flavors - spicy, sweet, tangy, and savory. This recipe takes the traditional Som Tam (green papaya salad) to another level by adding a twist of Sichuan peppercorns, also known as mala, introducing a unique numbing sensation to your taste buds. Expect a fusion of Thai and Sichuan flavors that is absolutely addictive. With shredded green papaya as the base, ingredients like cherry tomatoes, long green beans, dried shrimp, and roasted peanuts add texture and layers of flavor to the dish. The salad is dressed with a combination of fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar, creating a balance of salty, sour, and sweet. This salad is perfect as a side dish or on its own for a light lunch. Enjoy this delightful culinary adventure into Thai-Sichuan cuisine!

Common questions

Can I substitute green papaya with another ingredient? - Yes, if you can't find green papaya, you can use shredded green mango or shredded cucumber as a substitute.
How spicy is this dish? - The level of spiciness can be adjusted to your taste by adding more or fewer Thai bird chilies. Start with one chili and increase according to your preference.
Where can I find mala (Sichuan peppercorns)? - Mala can be found in most Asian grocery stores or online. If you can't find it, you can omit it or substitute with regular black peppercorns.
Can I make this dish ahead of time? - It is best to make and serve Som Tam Mala immediately for the freshest flavors and textures. However, you can prepare the ingredients in advance and mix them together just before serving.
Is this dish gluten-free? - Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free fish sauce.

Serving dishes and utensils

Mortar and Pestle - A traditional Thai kitchen tool used for pounding and grinding ingredients.
Peeler - Used for peeling the green papaya.
Knife - To chop the long green beans and halve the cherry tomatoes.
Bowl - For shredding and mixing the ingredients.
Spoon - To mix the sauce and serve the Som Tam Mala.

Origin stories

Som Tam Mala is a unique fusion dish that intertwines the culinary traditions of Thailand and Sichuan province in China. Som Tam, a spicy green papaya salad, hails from the Northeast region of Thailand, known as Isaan. The dish's distinct freshness, heat, and crunch embody the vibrant local culture. On the other hand, Mala, a combination of dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, is a celebrated flavor profile from China, known for its "numbing and spicy" taste. This recipe showcases a creative blend of these two distinct flavors, representing a gastronomic bridge between the two cultures. Som Tam Mala captures the essence of Thai and Sichuan cuisine, delivering a dish that is a treat for the senses, vibrant, spicy, and tingling, much like the cities from where they originate.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.