Green-Papaya Salad

Ingredients for Green-Papaya Salad

• 2 teaspoons belacan (prawns paste)*

• 3 (5 1/2-inch) fresh Holland red chillies*, sliced, including seeds

• 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• 5g small dried prawns* (1 tablespoon )

• 3/4 teaspoons salt

• 1 large shallot, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced crosswise (60ml )

• 1 (1 1/2-lb) piece green papaya* or 675g seedless cucumber (1 to 2

• usually plastic-wrapped)

• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• a mini food processor

• an adjustable-blade slicer fitted with julienne attachment

How to make Green-Papaya Salad

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 177°C.

Wrap belacan tightly in foil and bake 10 minutes. Open foil carefully and cool belacan to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Crumble belacan into mini food processor and finely purée with chillies and sugar.

Soak prawns in 240ml hot water in a bowl until soft, about 10 minutes.

While prawns soak, stir together salt and 240ml cold water until salt is dissolved, then add shallot and soak 5 minutes. Drain shallot in a sieve and pat dry.

Drain prawns in a colander and pat dry. Pulse prawns in cleaned mini processor until finely ground.

Peel, halve, and seed papaya (or cucumber). Cut into large pieces, then cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks with slicer.

Stir together lime juice, sugar, and 1 tablespoon sambal belacan in a large serving bowl until sugar is dissolved. Add prawns, shallot, and papaya, tossing to combine well.

*Available at Southeast Asian markets and templeofthai.com.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.