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Green Papaya Salad with Chilli Dressing |Plus 9 Other Salads To Inspire You

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.  

Green Papaya Salad-2

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?

Green Papaya Salad-2

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.

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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-2
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4.80 from 5 votes

Green Papaya Salad with Chilli Dressing

I used my julienne mandolin to thread the fruit into strands and proceeded to mix and match the ingredients. Raw veggies such as celery, cucumber, radishes go really well here. You can also add blanched beans and broccoli which are great for slurping up the sauce. If you're nut-free try adding some pumpkin or sunflower seeds to the mix. You can find green papayas in most Asian grocers.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 2

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.
Tried this recipe?Mention @wholesomecook or tag #wholesomecook

 

9 comments

Aimee August 21, 2014 at 10:52 am

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.

Reply
Mum to 4 August 21, 2014 at 10:54 am

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.

Reply
Sammy August 21, 2014 at 11:05 am

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.

Reply
Lizzy (Good Things) August 21, 2014 at 11:56 am

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!

Reply
Gaby August 21, 2014 at 12:10 pm

Thanks for the recipe! I’ve never tried making green papaya salad at home, this will be my first go.

Reply
JJ - 84thand3rd August 27, 2014 at 12:12 am

I fell in love with green papaya salads when we were in Thailand – perfect any time of day!

Reply
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef August 28, 2014 at 10:41 pm

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!

Reply
Padaek September 4, 2014 at 2:14 am

Looks very fresh and delicious! Love the cashews, radish and honey in it. Love the crunchy texture of shredded green papaya and carrot. Yumm!! :)

Reply
19 Paleo Korean Side Dish Recipes To Tingle Your Tastebud November 1, 2017 at 12:12 am

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