I’m not into fried foods. It’s like an unspoken rule to avoid them at home since we try to eat healthily, s’il vous plaît. But who needs rules when you have a dish presented before you like this one? When it came to Chef Ton’s Crispy Papaya Salad on holiday, we took a different view on fried foods. Things changed back home in our kitchen and the deep frier was no longer a hidden appliance in the corner.
Staying at Bain Sairee on Koh Samui island in Thailand, we were surrounded by such lush vegetation. These papayas were picked when still green – not left to ripen into the sweet, orangey flesh as we know it.
As you can see, the papaya’s flesh was still white. The other ingredients Ton used were so simple: a couple of tomatoes, limes, some unsalted cashew nuts, giant prawns, tamarind sauce and some tempura flour.
Ingredients for Crispy Papaya & Prawns
The papaya was shredded finely and tossed lightly in the tempura flour. At the local Tesco Lotus supermarket up the road, tempura flour was so easy to find – ready prepared. No water was added, just a light dusting was all it took.
Then the papaya strands were deep fried for just a few minutes – keeping a eye on them until they reached a beautiful golden colour – then drained on kitchen paper.
The prawns were then given exactly the same treatment.
Chef Ton’s smile, as you can see, was contagious.
Then to finish up while the prawns were draining, Ton prepared the quickest, tangy sauce to serve alongside it. Pounding the tomato in a mortar, he squeezed in the juice of the limes and added the tamarind sauce.
Mortar-fied. The sauce was so quick!
This was so quick to prepare and definitely something I wanted to try as soon as we returned home.
Papaya, however, was the problem. Instead, sweet potatoes were so much easier to find. I tried them Ton’s way, coating in the tempura flour – then another time without it. They worked out great even on their own, as the sweet potato was drier.
My 'European version' with Crispy Sweet Potato
My prawns were another problem. Ton’s were definitely bigger! Mine were so minute that to compensate, I threw in some onion rings and coated them in the tempura flour.
Makes a change from French fries
And for the sauce, mortar-fied I couldn’t find the right tamarind sauce in a hurry, I added some fresh coriander (cilantro), some fish sauce , a dash of sugar, and some finely chopped spring onions.
Now we’re hooked on these sweet potato ‘skinny fries’. They form a nest with marinaded curried chicken served with a cucumber salsa. There’s only one thing missing below.
A curry macaron would have gone perfectly with this, n’est-ce pas? Next time I need to be more organised. The crisps and prawns disappeared as the curry macarons were crouting. Ah well, the idea was there. Next time, friends. Next time.
"Mad about Macarons! Make Macarons like the French"
Curry macaron!!!! You are amazing… Crispy papaya looks soo good and I can guarantee I’ll be addicted to this cripsy fried papaya. I love Thaifoood…I can eat it almost everyday. =)
This all looks delicious! Curry macarons?! Genius!
Crispy papaya! Wild! I’d like a side of the curry macarons, too, please.
Very clever substitutions Jill! I loved reading this post! It shows (once again) how creative you are! Those sweet potato fries look soooooo crunchy and good even on their own! hehehe I must try them!
Hi Jill,
First of all apologies for not passing from your blog (and all others) but I’ve been going through a phase where I needed some time to myself. I hope to be back soon.
This looks so delicious. Although I avoid fried food as well, my dietician allows a small amount of fried fish in olive oil, with lots of salad.
I’d certainly make an exception for this fabulous dish! I rarely eat fried foods…but it’s not because I don’t love them
And only you would think of pairing this with curry macarons…hope we see those winners soon, too!
Wow! This looks good.
Mortar-fied! Funny lady
Both versions of the dish look absolutely FANTASTIC. I refuse to have a deep fat fryer in the house as I know I’d use it! Maybe I’ll have to relent because this looks too good to miss.
How fun it is to see the original and then how necessity and creativity adapt it to your own dish. I loved this post.
Oooooh! Everything about this is ace. I can’t believe this dude deep fried papaya…I’m absolutely going to have to try that. And spot on with the curry macarons
c’est magnifique! Buzzed
OMG Jill, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this version! I don’t eat much fried food either but would make an exception for this!
i loved the dish… just i m not sure with the curry macaron:)
Where’s your sense of adventure?
Looks fresh and delicious, yum:)
This dish looks delectable! I love both versions and your step by step photos. How great to bring your holiday home with you
I love both versions. I seem to remember commenting on how clean your deep fryer was before an now I know why LOL