You may not accept that you can lose weight while on a diet plan which includes Som Tam Isan but it is possible. It is fundamental to not eat Som Tam Isan or other high calorie vegetables & salads every day but in moderation.

This is what I do, I allow myself these kinds of food once per week. I eat a calorie controlled diet for 6 days of the week, say 1200 to 2000 calories per day, and then on the last day, I eat whatever I like – within moderation of course.

I have been sticking to this diet for the last 2 weeks and it has helped me to lose 5 kilos. I have not increased my exercise habits or taken any pills or diet food. I have just been aware of what I eat most days of the week and then eat whatever I like one day of the week.

I also think it helps to have a little support when trying to lose weight and for that I joined the Biggest Loser club. They have several tools to help you monitor your progress and achieve your goals.

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On my one day off|non diet day|free day per week, I like|prefer|tend|usually like to eat Thai food. I never imagined|thought|believed I could lose 5 kilos while eating Thai meals but am very pleased|happy|glad|elated to see it is possible|does work|can work|can happen. If you would like to try|want to try|feel like trying some Thai food, I suggest|advise|propose you make Som Tam Isan which is one of my favourite|most admired|most adored|best loved Thai recipes.

Som Tam Isan (Papaya Salad ? Thai)

Posted by WingsFan91 at recipegoldmine.com 11/15/2001 4:45 pm

This is a typical isan (north east) dish. It can be made with or without the plara (pickled mud fish). Potential cook are warned: this ingredient mells foul! But it does taste nice.

Som tam is a basic "salad" style dish, eaten as a snack.

The pickled mud fish is sold in bottled form in AAsian markets: take some of the fish, add a little fish sauce, and place it in a muslin bag and squeeze as much fluid as possible from the fish. (You can use the fish themselves, but they are raw, albeit pickled, and their is some risk from parasites. If you use the fish paste itself I suggest you first microwave it to ensure it is safe to eat! If you are squeemish then sterilize the liquor also. If really squeemish, the ingredient is optional.)

1 papaya (paw-paw) julienned
An equal quantity of red prik ki nu (birdseye or dynamite chiles).
    These are normally de-stalked, cut in four lengthwise then in
    half crosswise.
8 to 10 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely,
2 tomatoes, sliced thinly
1/2 cup long beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (Thai long beans if possible)
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1/4 cup tamarind juice
Juice from 2 tablespoons pickled mud-fish

Sprinkle the julienned papaya with salt and let stand for half an hour or so, then squeeze and discard any fluid. add the chili, and pound in a mortar and pestle, add the remaining ingredients except the tomato, and pound until mixed and tender. Add the tomato, and serve with a bowl of sticky rice.

This is food for chili masochists in extremis: you can increase the proportion of chiles until this is a bowl of red fire, and it will still be authentic. On the other hand you can reduce the chiles to just a hint is left and it will also still be authentic. The above 50:50 mix is about typical of the region.

If you wish you can decorate the salad with chopped roast peanuts, sliced green onions, and mint leaves. You could also include raw bean sprouts and sliced cucumber as side dishes. Thais generally eat lettuce or some cabbage related vegetable as a side dish also. (The normal way to eat it is to rip a piece of lettuce leaf, and take a mouthful of som tam in the leaf and eat it without knife, fork or spoon.) If you want to be a bit more western, use a standard salad or even an exotic such as a Waldorf Salad as a side dish.

Special thanks to Muoi Khuntilanont.

You can vary|alter|change|adjust|adapt the recipe to make it a little|a little bit|quite a bit healthier or with fewer|less|not so many calories as this can help|aid|assist you to lose 5 kilos quickly|rapidly|easily. It worked|did work|was successful for me and could help|aid|assist you to lose weight too|also|as well%.