thai style green papaya salad

Have you ever tried a green papaya or green mango salad? it is one of my favorite things to order from a Thai restaurant but I had never thought to make my own. Since we are planning a trip to Thailand in a couple of months I am getting exciting about all the delicious food that awaits us. This dish was made on a hot night a few weeks ago while we were day dreaming of lying on a tropical beach.... not long now and we can't wait! For those of you who don't have a tropical holiday in your near future, make yourself a green papaya salad, sip on coconut water, maybe head to your local beach and pretend for an evening.

You most likely wont find a green papaya in your local supermarket so you will need to head to Chinatown or somewhere like that. You want one that is nice and firm and bright in colour. Serve as a main meal or a side to cold rolls. Relax and close your eyes and pretend you are on an amazing holiday. Enjoy. 

Salad

1/2 medium sized green papaya
2 medium sized carrots
2 spring onions
handful of coriander
1 tomato
1/4 cup of raw peanuts (not salted)

Dressing
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp shoyu
1 clove of garlic minced
juice of 2 limes
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 birds eye chilli 

To make the salad grate the papaya and carrots and place in a large bowl. Dice the spring onions, coriander and tomato and add to the papaya and carrots. 

To make the dressing put all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Add the dressing to the vegetables and mix well. Leave the salad at room temperature for at least 2 hours for the flavors to combine. 

Just before serving toast the peanuts in a small frying pan over medium heat until slightly golden. Crush/ cut the peanuts and sprinkle over the salad. Will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.