PAPAYA SALAD

1 green Papaya
2-3 gloves of garlic
6-8 Thai chili peppers
1-2 limes
2 tomatoes
salt, msg and sugar
ka pee, crab paste, fish sauce and padek

Shred papaya into thin strips. Ground garlic and peppers in a mortar with ka pee, crab paste, salt, sugar and msg. Add papaya and tomatoes and pound until softened. Add juice of limes, fish sauce and padek, and continue to mash to thoroughly combine. Add more seasoning as needed.

Can add shredded carrot for color and 2 tbs. of tamarind paste for tanginess. Serve with sticky rice, lettuce or cabbage and pork rinds.

Optional ingredients: soft shell crab and dried shrimp.
Rice Noodle variation: add noodle at the end and stir gently.
Long green bean variation: reduce garlic and omit crab paste