Som tum gai salad (paw paw salad)

Som Tum Gai Salad (Paw Paw Salad) is a Thai salad that bursts with flavors. It’s a perfect blend of shredded papaya, chicken, and a medley of vibrant ingredients. This dish is an excellent choice for a healthy, flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare. Serves 2.

Ingredients for Som tum gai salad (paw paw salad)

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 cups shredded green papaya (450g)
  • 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken breast (225g)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic
  • 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies (adjust to your spice tolerance)
  • 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (15-30ml)
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (30-45ml)
  • 1 tablespoon palm sugar (15g)
  • 2-3 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2-3 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed (30-45g)
  • 1-2 cups fresh green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces (225g)
  • 1-2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (225g)
  • 2-3 cups fresh lettuce leaves (450g)

Preparation Time

  • Preparation: 15 minutes
  • Cooking: 10 minutes
  • Total: 25 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 330 kcal
  • Protein: 24g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fat: 14g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sugar: 12g

Instructions for Som tum gai salad (paw paw salad)

  1. Prepare Papaya: Peel the green papaya and shred it using a grater or a julienne peeler. Place the shredded papaya in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Cook Chicken: Boil or grill the chicken breast until fully cooked. Once done, shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add it to the same bowl as the papaya.
  3. Spice it Up: In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and Thai bird’s eye chilies together until they form a rough paste. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can finely mince them. Add this mixture to the bowl.
  4. Tangy Twist: Pour in the fish sauce and fresh lime juice. Sprinkle palm sugar on top. Toss everything together until well combined. Adjust the seasonings to suit your taste buds.
  5. Add Tomatoes: Gently add the halved cherry tomatoes to the salad. These will provide a burst of juiciness and color.
  6. Crunchy Peanuts: Sprinkle the crushed roasted peanuts over the salad. They’ll add a delightful crunch.
  7. Green Beans In: Throw in the fresh green beans. They not only contribute to the vibrant green color but also provide a satisfying crunch.
  8. Lettuce Layer: On a serving platter, arrange a bed of fresh lettuce leaves.
  9. Serve it Up: Carefully transfer your vibrant Som Tum Gai Salad onto the lettuce bed.

Tips for Som tum gai salad (paw paw salad)

  • If you can’t find green papaya, you can substitute it with unripe mango.
  • Adjust the spiciness by adding or reducing the number of Thai bird’s eye chilies.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken or replace it with tofu.
  • To make it vegan, replace fish sauce with soy sauce or a vegan fish sauce alternative.
  • Customize the salad with other fresh veggies like cucumber or carrots.
  • Serve with a side of sticky rice for a traditional Thai experience.

Serving Suggestions for Som tum gai salad (paw paw salad)

Som Tum Gai Salad (Paw Paw Salad) is a complete meal in itself. However, you can pair it with steamed jasmine rice or enjoy it as a refreshing side dish to complement your main course. It’s best served fresh and cold, making it an ideal choice for a light lunch or dinner.

Som Tum Gai Salad (Paw Paw Salad)

Som Tum Gai Salad (Paw Paw Salad) is a Thai salad that bursts with flavors. It’s a perfect blend of shredded papaya, chicken, and a medley of vibrant ingredients. This dish is an excellent choice for a healthy, flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare. Serves 2.
5 from 1 vote
Print Share Tweet Pin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutritions

Nutrition Facts
Som Tum Gai Salad (Paw Paw Salad)
Amount per Serving
Calories
330
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
14
g
22
%
Carbohydrates
 
28
g
9
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
12
g
13
%
Protein
 
24
g
48
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded green papaya 450g
  • 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken breast 225g
  • 3-4 cloves garlic
  • 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies adjust to your spice tolerance
  • 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce 15-30ml
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 30-45ml
  • 1 tablespoon palm sugar 15g
  • 2-3 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2-3 tablespoons roasted peanuts crushed (30-45g)
  • 1-2 cups fresh green beans cut into bite-sized pieces (225g)
  • 1-2 cups cherry tomatoes halved (225g)
  • 2-3 cups fresh lettuce leaves 450g

Instructions

  • Prepare Papaya: Peel the green papaya and shred it using a grater or a julienne peeler. Place the shredded papaya in a large mixing bowl.
  • Cook Chicken: Boil or grill the chicken breast until fully cooked. Once done, shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add it to the same bowl as the papaya.
  • Spice it Up: In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and Thai bird’s eye chilies together until they form a rough paste. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can finely mince them. Add this mixture to the bowl.
  • Tangy Twist: Pour in the fish sauce and fresh lime juice. Sprinkle palm sugar on top. Toss everything together until well combined. Adjust the seasonings to suit your taste buds.
  • Add Tomatoes: Gently add the halved cherry tomatoes to the salad. These will provide a burst of juiciness and color.
  • Crunchy Peanuts: Sprinkle the crushed roasted peanuts over the salad. They’ll add a delightful crunch.
  • Green Beans In: Throw in the fresh green beans. They not only contribute to the vibrant green color but also provide a satisfying crunch.
  • Lettuce Layer: On a serving platter, arrange a bed of fresh lettuce leaves.
  • Serve it Up: Carefully transfer your vibrant Som Tum Gai Salad onto the lettuce bed.

Notes

If you can’t find green papaya, you can substitute it with unripe mango.
Adjust the spiciness by adding or reducing the number of Thai bird’s eye chilies.
For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken or replace it with tofu.
To make it vegan, replace fish sauce with soy sauce or a vegan fish sauce alternative.
Customize the salad with other fresh veggies like cucumber or carrots.
Serve with a side of sticky rice for a traditional Thai experience.
Serving Suggestions
Som Tum Gai Salad (Paw Paw Salad) is a complete meal in itself. However, you can pair it with steamed jasmine rice or enjoy it as a refreshing side dish to complement your main course. It’s best served fresh and cold, making it an ideal choice for a light lunch or dinner.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating