Something cool to eat

It is hot here. I hate the heat. I bought a green papaya and forgot to use it right away so it is a little ripe. It is the perfect food for a hot day like this. I made Som Tam for lunch. I sort of morphed several recipes together to make this one.

Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

1 small green papaya

1 clove garlic

1 T dried shrimp

1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts

1-2 tomatoes, cut into long thin strips or use cherry tomatoes

1/2 lb long beans, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths

1 red chili, minced

Dressing:

1/2 tsp shrimp paste

2 T olive oil

2 T fish sauce

3 T lime juice

1 T honey

1. In mortar and pestle blend garlic, peanuts, chili and shrimp into a paste.
2. Prepare dressing by mixing together all ingredients in a bowl. Make sure shrimp paste and honey dissolve. Add to shrimp mixture. Use a mortar to crush tomatoes and beans and then add to bowl and lightly mix.
3. Peel papaya, slice in half. Remove all seeds. Grate papaya with a grater or mandoline. Place in a large bowl.
4. Add dressing mixture to papaya and toss to combine.