Green Papaya Salad With Candied Tamarind Vinaigrette

Angelo Sosa|Sept. 24, 2012 10:23 am EST

4 (1 ratings)

This is one of my favorite street foods — in Bangkok, where I first tasted this dish, they toss in fresh crab, shell and all. It’s a completely transporting experience: As you eat the salad you stumble on pieces of shell, their crevices filled with bright, tangy vinaigrette just begging to be sucked out. My version is vegetarian, but if you’re feeling adventurous, add some beautiful blue crab (shells are totally optional). See all salad recipes. Click here to see Fusion Cuisine, Tastefully Prepared.

Servings

4

Ingredients

2 tablespoon grapeseed oil
2 tablespoon thinly sliced garlic
2 thai chiles, chopped
1/2 cup candied tamarind*
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoon chopped ginger
2 tablespoon fish sauce
3 tablespoon lime juice
kosher salt, to taste
1 cup chinese long beans, cut into 3-inch pieces
2 tablespoon grapeseed oil
kosher salt, to taste
1 pound green papaya, shredded
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
3 tablespoon coarsely chopped, toasted cashews, for garnish
1 thai chile, minced, for garnish

Directions

In a small sauté pan, combine the oil and garlic and cook over medium-high heat until light golden, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a blender along with the 2 chopped chiles, candied tamarind, sugar, ginger, and fish sauce. Blend until smooth, then add the lime juice and blend until just combined. Season with salt, to taste.
Heat a dry cast-iron or other heavy pan over high heat and bring it to the point of smoking. Add the long beans and cook them, turning frequently, until well charred on all sides but not burnt. Carefully transfer them to a medium-sized bowl and toss with the oil and season with salt, to taste. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Working in batches if necessary, use a mortar and pestle to pound the papaya until it's soft and releases some of its juice (you can also wrap the papaya in a dish towel and pound it with the back of a pot — you just want to break down the fibers). Place in a large bowl, add the cilantro and long beans, and toss to combine.
To serve, drizzle the vinaigrette over the papaya mixture and garnish with the cashews and minced chiles.