Som Tum (Thai Papaya Salad)

Ingredients

• 1 large papaya, peeled and grated
• 2 limes, pitted and juiced
• 9 Thai chili peppers, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbs Thai fish sauce
• ¼ C roasted unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• ¼ C dried shrimp
• 3 tbs palm sugar, softened

Directions

1. Place papaya in a large wooden salad bowl.
2. Soften the palm sugar in a microwave oven and mix with the lime juice like a vinaigrette.
3. Add the garlic and sliced chili peppers and pour over the grated papaya.
4. Mix and toss the salad with wooden tongs, but not so heavily that the papaya is broken. This will allow the dressing to penetrate the papaya. It is not as delicate as romaine lettuce.
5. Add the shrimp and peanuts, toss briefly, and serve.