🇹🇭 Thai Cuisine · Main Dishes

Som Tum

Prep

15 mins

Cook

0 mins

Serves

2

Difficulty

Easy

A fiery green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with dried shrimp, tomatoes, long beans, and a lime-fish sauce dressing.

Ingredients

  • 400g beef sirloin
  • 400g roti dough
  • 2 tsp torn kaffir lime leaves
  • 1/2 tsp palm sugar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 2 Thai eggplant, chopped
  • a handful of fresh Thai basil, chopped
  • a generous spoonful of lime wedges
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tsp dried shrimp

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the beef sirloin dry, season generously with salt, pepper, and palm sugar, and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

  2. 2

    Heat coconut oil in a wide pan or heavy pot over medium-high heat and sear the beef sirloin until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    In the same pan, gently cook the minced garlic and sliced lemongrass over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the ground turmeric and bean sprouts, cooking for a few more minutes so the spices bloom and coat the vegetables.

  5. 5

    Return the beef sirloin to the pan, pour in the tamarind water, and bring everything to a gentle simmer.

  6. 6

    Cover and cook over low heat until the beef sirloin is tender and cooked through, roughly 0 mins.

Tips

Leftovers taste even better the next day once the spices have had time to mingle — reheat gently over low heat.

A squeeze of lemon or a final scattering of Thai basil just before serving brightens up all the deep, slow-cooked flavors.

Avoid crowding the pan when searing the beef sirloin; work in batches so it browns instead of steaming.