Papaya Salad with Tamarind Lime Dressing

HomeClinics & ProgramsELLICSR KitchenPapaya Salad with Tamarind Lime Dressing

Skill Level	Easy

Preparation Time	10 minutes	Total Time	25 minutes
Servings	4	Cost Per Serving	$1.53

1	Medium Papaya, peeled, seeded and diced
1/2 cup	Red Onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup	Toasted Cashews, Pumpkin Seeds or Dried Coconut
1/4 cup	Cilantro or Basil (or any fresh herb), roughly chopped
1	Red Chili, deseeded and thinly sliced (optional)
1	Lime, juice and zest
1 tbsp	Tamarind Puree/Paste
2 tbsp	Hot Water
1 tbsp	Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Sesame Oil
To Taste	Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

For the tamarind dressing, put tamarind paste and hot water in a small bowl and mix together with a whisk or spoon until it forms a thinner paste. Add lime juice, zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Combine the papaya and red onion and dress with the tamarind dressing. Plate and top with toasted seeds or nuts, cilantro and red chilies.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for papaya salad

Christopher Columbus was so enamored with the papaya that he named it “the fruit of the angels”. Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest protein. Papain may help reduce overall inflammation and improve healing of wounds and injuries. One cup of papaya also provides your daily requirement of vitamin C. Papain and vitamin C play a role in the health of ligaments and joints, and may be helpful for healing sprains and strains.
Tamarind pods are filled with sticky pulp that provides a sweet and sour flavor to foods such as chutneys, Pad Thai, and Worcestershire sauce. Animal studies suggest that tamarind can reduce blood sugar and “lousy” LDL cholesterol levels, but research in humans is needed.
Tamarind contains antioxidants called phenols that can prevent LDL cholesterol from sticking to artery walls, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Tamarind is rich in thiamin and niacin, B vitamins that are needed to turn food into energy. It is also a source of magnesium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.