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Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe (Som Tam or Som Tom)

January 27, 2022 By Darlene at International Cuisine

This Thai green papaya salad recipe called som tam or som tum is one of my all time favorite salad recipes. I learned to make it in Thailand in Chiang Mai at a cooking class at an organic farm. 

A bowl full of Thai green papaya salad with tomatoes, long <span style='background-color:none;'>green beans</span><span style='background-color:none;'> </span>and Thai chilies.” width=”684″ height=”1024″></a></p>
<p><em>Please note that this page contains affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!</em></p>
<p>The name som means sour and tam or tum means to pound, referring to the sound made of the pestle pounding the ingredients in the mortar. </p>
<p>It is served as a snack or sometimes as a first course or along side other Thai specialties as part of a meal. However you serve it, you will love it. </p>
<p>It turns out that this dish has often been listed on the top 50 foods of world in CNN polls, it is no surprise as it is a scrumptious bite. </p>
<p>Unlike traditional salads this recipe has no oil in it, it is fish sauce, lime and a little palm sugar with garlic that brings the flavors together.</p>
<h2>Main Ingredients you will need to make the Salad </h2>
<p>There are just few ingredients that you need to make this Thai Green Papaya salad recipe that you might need to pick up at your local Asian markets. </p>
<p>They are:</p>
<p><strong>Green Papaya</strong>. This is an unripe papaya and you want to find one that is really green with no soft spots or brown spots. If you can’t find a green papaya you could substitute cabbage, green mango, or cucumber. The thin strips of the papaya is the perfect way to impart the flavors of the dressing. It is on its own bland with little flavor but a nice texture which is why you could use cabbage, green mango or cucumber as a substitute. </p>
<p><strong>Long Beans</strong>: These are a very long and skinny green bean that add a nice crunchy texture to the dish. They are sometimes called snake beans. </p>
<p><strong>Thai Chiles</strong>: These are small little red chilies that are fiery hot on the Scoville scale. Sometimes they are called birds-eye chilies. You can add how ever many to your heat tolerance. Generally speaking Thai people eat there food very spicy. </p>
<p><strong>Palm sugar</strong>: a staple in Thai cuisine that usually is found in little discs or a block which can be grated. It adds a wonderful caramelized sweetness to the salad. You could always substitute brown sugar in a pinch.</p>
<p><strong>Fish sauce</strong>: Get a good one, if you want to make it a Lao papaya salad you could use a fermented fish sauce which has a more intense umami flavor. You could use soy sauce in a pinch but it won’t have the same flavor. Some recipes call for dried shrimp or even salted crab.</p>
<p>Other ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store is garlic cloves, roasted peanuts, or raw peanuts you can roast yourself lime for fresh lime juice, cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes and salt. </p>
<h2>Special Equipment:</h2>
<p>Getting the green papaya into thin strips it is easiest to use a <a href=julienne peeler like this one. Or  if you are skilled you can use a sharp knife and a regular peeler like it is shown here although it really takes practice so the julienne peeler is much safer. 

If you use a julienne peeler, peel the skin with a regular vegetable peeler or knife first, cut the papaya in half, scoop out the seeds with a spoon and then use your julienne peeler on the peeled papaya.

Mortar and pestle, I have this one and love it however in Thailand they often use a very large wooden mortar and wooden pestle that the whole salad will fit in. If you have one like this, use it. 

You should first pound the dressing ingredients and then add the papaya at end and mix it all together in a large bowl. The peanuts are usually added at the end and tossed or used as a garnish. It should be served with extra lime. 

Whatever you do, avoid using a food processor to mix the dressing ingredients.

Once you put all the ingredients together the taste should be spicy, salty, and little bit sweet and sour, delicious!

Other Thai Recipes you can serve with Thai Green Papaya Salad 

Chicken with basil called Phad Kaproa Gai or the famous Pad Thai (Fried noodles). 

It would also be delicious with chicken satay with peanut sauce. 

for Dessert Bananas in coconut milk 

You can also serve it with sticky rice

You of course can enjoy Thai green papaya salad on its own or as a side dish, it is up to you. Spicy green papaya salad is a popular dish you can find all over Thailand and Southeast Asia for that matter. It is on the menu of every Thai restaurant.

 Each country has a bit different variation. Laos, where the recipe originated uses fermented fish sauce and shrimp paste. Here is a recipe for the Laos version as well.

Did you know that Thailand used to be called Siam? Siamese cats are originally from Thailand and the name of the two conjoined twins back in the 1800’s were called Siamese twins because they were from Siam. 

If you would like to learn more about the bucolic country of Thailand , its traditions, food and culture be sure to check out “Our Journey to Thailand” there you will also find more authentic and ancestral recipes like this popular Thai salad. 

Craving even more? Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing, it’s free, You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

A bowl full of Thai green papaya salad with tomatoes, long green beans and Thai chilies.
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5 from 3 votes

Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe

This is a wonderful salad recipe that is called som tam or som tom. It hits all the delicious notes that Thai cuisine is famous for. Be sure to only add the number of Thai chiles that you can handle but remember it should be spicy.
Course Salad or Side dish
Cuisine Southeast Asian, Thai
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 221kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Equipment

  • Mortar and Pestle
  • Julienne Peeler

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Green papaya threads
  • 6-10 Long Bean chopped into bite size pieces
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes cherry or grape cut in half
  • 1/4 cup peanuts roasted chopped and unsalted
  • 6-8 birds eye chili peppers or to your heat tolerance
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice fresh
  • 1 Tbsp palm sugar grated or brown sugar as a substitute
  • 2 Tbsp Fish sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Put garlic and chili peppers in a mortar and mash wit a pestle until crushed into pieces.
  • Next add long beans, lemon juice palm sugar, fish sauce, tomato, and salt.
  • Mix together
  • Finally add shredded papaya and mix together with a spoon and pestle until completely combined.
  • Taste it for flavor and adjust as needed. It should be spicy, salty and a little sweet and sour.
  • Plate the salad and sprinkle with the roasted peanuts.
  • Serve with lime wedges, a little palm sugar and extra peanuts

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2101mg | Potassium: 628mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1783IU | Vitamin C: 120mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1mg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Recipes, Salad, Thailand

Easy Pad Thai (Stir Fried Noodles) Recipe

January 27, 2022 By Darlene at International Cuisine

Easy Pad Thai (stir fried Noodles) recipe is the national dish of Thailand. You will find this amazing classic dish on nearly every menu in Thai restaurants. It is also a popular street food. 

It can be made with shrimp, chicken or pork for a heartier meal or just with tofu to keep it vegetarian. Once you try it, you will quickly see why it is such a popular Thai dish.

a plate full of Pad Thai stir fried noodles with shrimp and garnished with peanuts and lime wedges.

 

Please note that this page may contain affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!

Once again, easy pad Thai (stir fried noodles) recipe is so quick to make. In our cooking class in Chiang Mai it took a total of 4 1/2 minutes to cook it up once you have prepped the few ingredients. Who doesn’t love a quick, easy and delicious meal? Aside from amazing flavor it is another reason I simply love Thai food.

Key Ingredients you will need

You may have to head to you local Asian market to find a few key ingredients unless of course you have a market with good international section. 

Rice Noodles– You want a thin flat rice noodle to make an authentic Pad Thai. Some packages will even be called Pad Thai noodles. They are sometimes called wide rice noodles or rice vermicelli or glass noodles . Any flat dry rice noodles will do.

Tamarind paste– I love this ingredient, it adds a sour taste that make a tangy sauce, that is amazing. You can find tamarind pulps in a block that you dilute in water making a tamarind sauce or paste,or you can find a paste in a jar that is already diluted. I always keep a block in my pantry. In a pinch you could substitute pomegranate molasses, lime juice or even white vinegar or even rice vinegar although it won’t be the same.

Fish sauce – This adds a wonderful umami flavor and be sure to get the best one you can find. 

Palm Sugar– you will find in little discs or in a block that you can grate. You could substitute brown sugar in a pinch. 

Firm Tofu -if you are using it instead of another protein like shrimp, chicken or pork, make sure it is a firm tofu. Do not use a soft tofu as it will disintegrate when you stir fry it. Tofu is great but my favorite is with shrimp but make what you love. 

The other ingredients can be found in you local grocery store versus Asian markets. 

Bean sprouts, carrots, limes, as you will garnish your pad Thai with lime wedges, roasted peanuts, chives or spring onions, aka green onions, chili powder, molasses, shallots, large egg, oil, salt. 

Putting your Easy Pad Thai Stir Fried Noodles together

Make sure you soak your noodles for about 30 minutes in warm water vs hot water ahead of time or simply follow the package directions. Later you will add them to the wok and stir them so they need to be soft when you add them in. 

Make the pad Thai sauce. 

As I mentioned this whips up in a hurry in a wok. You will actually use the sides of the wok to move items to, as you go. If you don’t have one, I recommend you invest in one, it is a great addition to your ordinary pots and pans. I love this wok. Of course you can do this in a frying pan but it will be difficult to move the items to the side of the pan.

First you will add the vegetable oil into the wok and get it to a medium low heat. Add in your protein, whether it is tofu, shrimp, or chicken etc. You will also add in the shallots and fry until crunchy. Cook it until done by frying it quickly and then simply moving it to the side of the wok. 

Next you will add the egg. Using the side of your spatula you will sort of scramble the egg. The egg should be put in the wok whole not already a beaten egg. This way as you scramble it with the spatula you will have both white and yellow pieces of egg vs. scrambled eggs. You can now mix everything in the wok together and move this mixture once again to the side.

Now you will add the noodles and the seasoning sauce that you have already prepared. Stir fry them together until soft and warm. Add in the bean sprouts, grated carrots, and chives. Mix everything together in the wok well. Serve on a plate with crushed roasted peanuts, and lime wedges.

Enjoy like you would at your favorite Thai restaurant

More Authentic Thai Dishes

Pad Thai is somewhat similar to another stir fried noodles recipe called Pad See Ew which has a bit more sweet and sour flavor. I love them both. They are both great noodle dishes.

If you are looking for more authentic dishes like this easy pad Thai stir fried noodles recipe for an incredible Thai meal be sure to check out the Thai Papaya Salad, Basil chicken or Bananas in Coconut Milk . 

If you would like to learn more about the bucolic country of Thailand , its traditions, food and culture be sure to check out “Our Journey to Thailand” there you will also find more authentic and ancestral recipes like this popular Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe. 

Craving even more? Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing, it’s free, You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

a plate full of Pad Thai stir fried noodles with shrimp and garnished with peanuts and lime wedges.
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Easy Pad Thai (Stir Fried Noodles) Recipe

This is the national dish of Thailand, an absolutely scrumptious recipe.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Southeast Asian, Thai
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
soaking rice noodles 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 451kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Equipment

  • Wok

Ingredients

For the seasoning sauce

  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 Tbsp Palm sugar
  • 2 Tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tsp molasses
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder hot or to your heat tolerance

Pad Thai ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp oil
  • 2/3 cup tofu firm cut into bite size pieces or use 1/2 lb, shrimp, cut up chicken or pork
  • 4 shallots chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 160 grams rice noodles Usually 1/2 package softened per package
  • 2/3 cup carrot grated
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts crushed
  • 1 Tbsp chives chopped
  • 2 limes cut into wedges for garnish

Instructions

Preparing the seasonin sauce

  • Put water in a bowl
  • Add tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, molasses, and chili powder. Mix together well.

Making the Pad Thai

  • Heat the oil in the wok to a medium low heat.
  • Add the shallots, tofu or other protein and salt. Fry until crunchy and cooked through. Move to side of wok.
  • Add the egg and scramble using the side of your spatula. Mix it together with the tofu and shallot mixture and move it to the side of the wok.
  • Add in the noodles and the seasoning sauce, stir fry until the noodles are nice and soft. Stir in a circular motion using the side of your spatula .
  • Add in the bean sprouts, grated carrots, and chives. Mix everything in the wok together really well.
  • Plate the Pad Thai and serve with crushed peanuts on top and the lime wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1180mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 3832IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 4mg

Filed Under: Main Dish, Recipes, Thailand

Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

January 27, 2022 By Darlene at International Cuisine

Easy Thai basil chicken is a beloved recipe in Thailand. It is the flavor of the sweet Thai basil that makes it so delicious. This is another recipe that we made in our Chiang Mai cooking class. 

You will be amazed how quickly this dish comes together. It is one of the things I love about Thai cuisine in general. Perfect for busy weeknights.

a bowl full of basil chicken served with a bowl of Jasmine rice and garnished with a sprig of Thai basil with the flowers.

Please note that this page may contain affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!

When you are in Thailand you will find this dish on the menu of most Thai restaurants as Phad Kaprao Gai or Gai Pad Krapow. It is also a popular street food dish. It is always served with white rice typically Jasmine rice. If you want a healthier dish you could even use cauliflower rice. Brown rice is not common in Thailand.

Key Ingredients you will need 

You may have to head to your asian market for just a couple of the ingredients.

Thai Basil- It is a different flavor than sweet basil that you are probably used to. Thai basil leaves have a bit of an anise flavor that imparts a magnificent flavor to the chicken. The Thai sweet basil has purple stems which is how you can tell it apart .You can use regular basil sometimes called Italian basil if that is all you can find.

Chicken Thighs- You should chop up your own with a cleaver into small bits. You could substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts but the flavor is not as rich as thighs, you could also use ground chicken if you are pressed for time. 

Long beans – sometimes called snake beans these add a lovely textural elect tot the dish as well. You could substitute green beans in a pinch,if that is the only thing you can find or even red pepper red bell pepper) could work too.

Fish Sauce– get the best you can, this adds a wonderful umami flavor to the dish. 

Oyster sauce – another rich ingredient which adds amazing flavor. you could substitute dark soy sauce as well. It makes a savory sauce.

Thai Chili peppers- sometimes called birds-eye-chilies. These add the spicy heat that Thai cuisine is famous for. Be sure to only add enough to your heat tolerance as they are way up there on the Scoville heat index. You could substitute a jalapeno pepper or serrano as well.

Palm Sugar– It usually comes in a brick or little discs that you can grate, you can substitute brown sugar or white sugar if you need to. 

You will also need, garlic cloves, onions, water and oil to make the dish, but you should be able to find these ingredients anywhere in your local grocery store 

Putting the Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe together.

In Thai cooking you should use a wok to make this easy chicken stir fry. You can use vegetable oil or sesame oil and put it on a medium high heat. When the oil is hot add in the garlic, onion, chili peppers, and chicken. Stir until the chicken is done.

Next you add in the long beans, fish sauce, sugar and oyster sauce and stir together. You add the key ingredient basil at the end and stir again. Serve hot with rice.

You should prepare all the ingredients ahead of time so you can just quickly add them to your wok as you stir fry. 

I hope you enjoy this popular Thai dish.

More Authentic Thai dishes

If you are looking for more authentic dishes for an incredible Thai meal be sure to check out the Thai Papaya Salad,  Pad Thai or Bananas in Coconut Milk . 

If you would like to learn more about the bucolic country of Thailand , its traditions, food and culture be sure to check out “Our Journey to Thailand” there you will also find more authentic and ancestral recipes like this popular Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe. 

Craving even more? Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing, it’s free, You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

a bowl full of basil chicken served with a bowl of Jasmine rice and garnished with a sprig of Thai basil with the flowers.
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

A quick and easy authentic Thai dish that will quickly become a family favorite
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Southeast Asian, Thai
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 161kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Equipment

  • Wok

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb chicken thighs cut up into small pieces
  • 4 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2/3 cup long beans chopped into bite size pieces
  • 4-6 Thai chili peppers
  • 2 cups Thai basil leaves
  • 2 Tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp palm sugar grated
  • 1/2 cup onions sliced finely
  • 6 Tbsp water

Instructions

  • Pour oil into wok and heat to a medium high heat
  • When oil is hot, add garlic, onion, chili peppers, and chicken. Stir until fragrant and chicken is cooked through.
  • Add in the long beans, fish sauce, oyster sauce and sugar.
  • Add a little water and stir everything together
  • Once well mixed together add in the basil stir once remove from heat
  • serve with Jasmine rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1002mg | Potassium: 276mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 846IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

 

 

Filed Under: Main Dish, Recipes, Thailand

Welcome to International Cuisine

Hello my name is Darlene and thank you for stopping by!

I am cooking a meal from every country in the world. I do extensive research and choose a menu that I feel best represents the country and their cuisine. Of course that also includes the authentic, delicious recipes. Simply click on the link or the photo in the journey by country posts to get them. I also share important information about the country as well.

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