Som Dtam

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1-6              Thai chillies(2 is hot, 6 is insane)
• 4-8              cloves garlic, to taste
• 1.                tsp salt
• 3/4              cup fresh shrimps
• 1/2.             cup palm sugar, to taste(you can also use brown sugar)
• 4                 tbsp tamarind water, substitute 1 tsp of tamarind paste)
• 1/4              cup lime juice
• 1/4              cup fish sauce or to taste

Salad

• 1                 cup cherry tomatoes
• 3/4              cup shredded carrots
• 1                 cup snake beans, cut into 1- inch  lenghts
•                    (or use regular beans)
• 4                 cups green papaya, shredded

To serve

• 6                 lettuce leaves
• 1/2              cup roasted peanuts

Instructions 

1. Pound chillies, garlic and salt in a mortar and pestle (or pulse in a food processor)
2. Add shrimps and peanuts.  Pound to a coarse paste.
3. Put the paste in a bowl and add palm sugar, tamarind water, lime juice and fish sauce.
4. Whisk together until dressing is well incorporated.  The dressing should taste sour, salty, sweet and hot.
5. Place cherry cherry tomatoes, beans and green papaya in a large bowl and bruise lightly with a fork.
6. Pour dressing over the salad and mix well.
7. Line a salad plate with lettuce leaves.  Put the salad on the leaves and sprinkle with the nuts.