Green Papaya Salad With Lime Dressing

The Washington Post, October 22, 2008

• • Cuisine: Asian
• • Course: Salad

Summary:

Here’s a bright, sweet-salty version from chefs Spike Mendelsohn and Mike Colletti. They like to shop at the Eden Center's Cho Saigon Market in Falls Church for the ingredients, such as the sesame-peanut granules and fried red onions.

The salad components can be prepped up to 2 days in advance; dress the salad just before serving.

4 servings

Ingredients:

For the salad

• • 1 large green papaya (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded and cut into very thin slices (preferably with a mandoline; may substitute green, unripe mango)
• • 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into very thin slices (preferably with a mandoline)
• • 2 cups 1/2-inch cubed pineapple, preferably fresh
• • 1 Thai red chili pepper, cut crosswise into thin slices (not seeded; omit if you want a less-spicy salad)
• • Handful mint leaves, coarsely chopped (preferably Vietnamese mint, available at some Asian markets)
• • Handful cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
• • Handful Thai or regular basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• • 1 cup shredded pickled daikon radish (store-bought or homemade; see headnote on Vegetarian Summer Rolls)
• • 2 tablespoons roasted and ground sesame-peanut granules, for garnish (see headnote; may substitute crushed roasted, unsalted peanuts
• • 2 tablespoons store-bought fried red onion, for garnish

For the dressing

• • 6 tablespoons fish sauce
• • 1/2 cup sugar
• • 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• • 1 tablespoon hot chili sauce, such as Sriracha

Directions:

For the salad: Combine the papaya, carrot, pineapple, chili pepper, if desired, herbs and daikon radish in a large salad bowl.

For the dressing: Combine the fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, lime juice, garlic and hot chili sauce in a measuring cup; stir to mix well.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat evenly. Divide among individual plates, then sprinkle each portion with some of the sesame-peanut granules and fried red onions. Serve immediately.

173 calories, 1g fat, n/a saturated fat, n/a cholesterol, 1478mg sodium, 41g carbohydrates, 5g dietary fiber, n/a sugar, 2g protein.