My most recent obsession in the world of salads, and I go through phases, is this crunchy and tangy Green Papaya Salad. Made with a sugar-free chilli dressing, it is a great side to grilled fish or meat or a light meal in itself.
If I was to count on one hand how many salads I eat each week, I’d run out of fingers by Wednesday. Perhaps, Thursday at the very latest. My salad shanannigans are well-documented on Instagram. So much so, in fact, that I was recently told I could publish a Fridge Surprise Salad eBook without much effort because all of the recipes were already there! How is that for an idea!
Ok, so I haven’t committed to the idea, but you can follow me there to get the scoop on the latest.
They say you can’t make friends with a salad, but I disagree. I was at a Korean grocer’s in Eastwood earlier this week, looking for spices when I made friends with a lady who had packed her basketful of green papayas. I asked what she was planning to make and she said salad. We connected instantly. It was her who prompted me to make it. Simple, isn’t it?
And so, I came home with a handful of green papayas and made salad.
Since we’ve been having the coldest of days yet this winter, I added some heat with a hot chilli dressing. I enjoyed my bowl of deliciousness in the games room – the warmest part of the house while taking a few minutes to stretch in the sun. Perfection.
Why You Should Love Salads
Salads are a great and tasty way to get your greens and veg intake out of the deficit. I even love to have salad for breakfast!
I adore the ease with which they can be tossed together. Almost carelessly.
The variety of ingredients that can be used is another deciding factor for me – with a tossed salad, anything goes. Leftovers, roasted or fresh veg, canned fish with mackerel being my current fave and boiled or fried eggs. Nuts and seeds for topping and voila! A pretty, tasty and healthy lunch is ready!
9 Salads To Inspire You
Here are a few other salad ideas to get you started.
Superslaw with Sauerkraut | Shaved Fennel and Cabbage Slaw with Avo Mustard Dressing | Grated Salad with Eggs | Watermelon and Cucumber Salad with Tahini Dressing | Warm Puy Lentil and Cavolo Nero Salad | Charred Broccoli Mexican Salad | Cumin-spiced Carrot and Chickpea Salad | The 1-2-3 Salad | Paleo Nori Seaweed Salad Wraps
Green Papaya Salad with Chilli Dressing
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1/2 green papaya
- 1/2 small carrot
- 1 radish optional
- 2 cups mixed lettuce leaves
- 2-3 cherry tomatoes
- 1/8 cup raw cashews
For the Chilli Dressing
- 1 red long chilli
- 1/8 cup water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or rice syrup
- 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
To serve:
- Lemon wedge
Instructions
To make the Salad:
- Wash and peel green papaya. Using a julienne peeler or julienne mandolin, shave papaya and carrot into long thin threads. Finely slice the radish. Toss julienned papaya, carrots and radish in a bowl with lettuce leaves to mix. Divide between two serving bowls. Cut cherry tomatoes into quarters and divide between bowls. Top with cashews (or seeds).
To make the dressing:
- Finely chop chilli, removing all or most of the seeds depending on how hot you like the dressing to be. Place in a small jar with remaining ingredients and shake to combine.
To serve:
- Serve salad with dressing drizzled on top and a lemon wedge.
9 comments
Yay for crunchy salads! I’ve never seen green papayas in stores so will definitely be visiting Asian grocers for this. Thanks for the tip.
I would love to find a moment in the sun to enjoy this. I shall plan for a lunchtime nap for the little ones still at home sometime next week. Love all your salads.
New IG follower here! I found your account and beutiful blog through your amazing photo of the breakfast salad. What an inspiration and I love the idea of having recipes easily adapted to allergies. Brilliant work lady.
Yum Marty… there is almost nothing nicer than a good green papaya salad, except eating it on Mindil Beach in Darwin as you watch the sun set!
Thanks for the recipe! I’ve never tried making green papaya salad at home, this will be my first go.
I fell in love with green papaya salads when we were in Thailand – perfect any time of day!
I love chance meetings like that! My next door neighbour has a gazillion green papayas and would happily give me as many as I wanted. This salad is mine!
Looks very fresh and delicious! Love the cashews, radish and honey in it. Love the crunchy texture of shredded green papaya and carrot. Yumm!! :)
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