Paw-Paw Salad 9-7-14

Paw-Paw Salad (Bajan Papaya Salad)

My friend Ria (owner of True Decadence) and I, got together a couple of weeks ago to cater a birthday party.

Our plan: A creative take on classic dishes from other regions of the world. One of the dishes was a "Paw-Paw Salad" which is the Bajan version of a "Thai Green Papaya Salad".

Green Papaya is long, green on the outside and white on the inside. We are using the papaya after it passes the "green" stage, but before it's fully ripe. It will still be hard and slightly pink.

Paw-Paw Salad

1 Small papaya (peeled and sliced thin)

1 Small tomato (de-seeded and sliced thin)

1 cup bora bora beans or string bean (blanched and cut into 2 inch pieces)

Handful of coriander (roughly chopped)

3 green onion (scallions minced)

Basil OR Mint leaves (minced, either or)

Dressing

1/4 cup Olive or Grapeseed oil

1/4 Lime juice

2 Tbsp Soy sauce

2 Tbsp Palm sugar, Brown sugar, or Agave

1 clove garlic

A sliver of hot pepper (no seeds)

Combine all the salad ingredients in a bowl. Set aside. Combine dressing ingredients in a blender, pour over salad. Cover and refrigerate. Take it out about 30 min before serving and toss again before plating