Eye catching Red Papaya Salad with a hit of chilli that revitalises the taste buds. Using baby gem lettuce instead of corn chips to scoop up the refreshing salad with charred corn. This recipe makes a delicious starter to your entertaining needs.
Preheat grill to medium-hot heat. With a basting brush, coat corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on grill pan and cook for 15 minutes or until well charred. Remove from grill pan to cool.
When cooled, stand corn on its bottom, hold the tip, then using a sharp knife and cut corn from cob by running knife from top to bottom. Place in large mixing bowl.
Cut the papaya into small 1.5cm cubes. Place cut papaya into a large mixing bowl with corn.
Peel cucumber and then cut into long strips lengthwise. Then hold tightly together and cut into 1cm pieces. Place cucumber into large mixing bowl.
Cut chilli in half lengthwise and thinly slice into small rounds. Add cut chilli to the large mixing with other ingredients.
Wash and roughly chop cilantro (coriander) leaves. Set aside for assembly.
Wash and pull apart baby cos lettuce leaves. Set aside for assembly.
Slice scallion (spring onion) into small rounds.
Salad Dressing
Simple dressing with a lot of zing. Place olive oil, Dijon mustard, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper in a mason jar and give it a good shake.
Assembly
In the large mixing bowl, mix charred corn, papaya, cucumber and chilli together. Add dressing to the bowl and mix well so all ingredients are well covered by dressing.
Scatter ¾ cilantro (coriander) leaves and give it another mix.
To serve, scoop some of the salad into individual baby cos lettuce cups and place them on a large serving plate.
Then with the remainder of the salad, tumble into large bowl and placed baby cos lettuce leaves on one side so guests can also help themselves to more.
Scatter the remaining cilantro (coriander) leaves across the pre-loaded lettuce cups and the bowl of salsa.
Place extra cut chilli and lime wedges next to salad for guests to top up if required.
Notes
If red papaya is not available, you could substitute with mango or even good ol’ avocado as they both will work. Slightly different flavours but they both pair well with charred corn.
Can adjust this salad according to your taste. If you prefer more zing, up the lime or if prefer more heat, add more chilli.
Can be easily transported in a large container. You can then scoop into baby cos lettuce cups when you are serving.
To make this recipe vegan, replace honey with maple syrup.