Have you been feeling bloated, nauseous or constipated lately? Is the homemade churan not helping you? It’s time to include a magic ingredient in your diet to improve your gut health. Yes, a beautiful, green papaya is all you need to fix your gut. Raw papaya contains papain enzymes, which help break down proteins better. This further improves gut health by reducing bloating and constipation. It also supports heart health and helps in weight management. But you must eat the fruit in moderation to avoid stomach cramps and indigestion. Do you know how to include green papaya in your meals? Try these easy recipes that include raw papaya.

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1. Thai som tam salad recipe

Ingredients:

2 red chillies, sliced

2 tbsp peanuts

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

Salt to taste

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp tamarind pulp

4-5 garlic cloves

1 cup raw papaya, grated

1 cup spring onion, chopped

7-8 cherry tomatoes, sliced

1 orange carrot, grated

3-4 lettuce leaves

Method:

Start by making the Thai som tam dressing. Using a mortar and a pestle (silbatta), crush the red chillies, garlic cloves, and a tablespoon of peanuts coarsely. Add lemon juice, tamarind pulp, soy sauce and brown sugar. Mix the ingredients well. In a serving plate, place the lettuce leaves. Place the grated carrot and raw papaya. Now, add cherry tomatoes and the chopped spring onions. Add the salad dressing and a tablespoon of peanuts. Gently mix the raw veggies. Enjoy the Thai som tam salad as a flavourful meal.

2. Green papaya curry recipe

Ingredients:

1 raw papaya, peeled and chopped

2 cups water

2 tsp turmeric powder

Salt to taste

1 tamarind, soaked

1/2 cup grated coconut

1 tsp coriander seeds

2 green chillies

8-10 curry leaves

3-4 shallots

1-2 tsp olive or coconut oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

3-4 whole dried red chillies

Method:

In a pressure cooker, add the chopped raw papaya and half a cup of water. Add salt, tamarind, and a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix the ingredients well, close the lid, and cook for 2-3 whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally and open the cooker. Using a potato masher, crush the boiled raw papaya until mashed. Add a cup of water and stir the mixture. Let it cool at room temperature. In a mixer grinder, add grated coconut, coriander seeds, green chillies, 4-5 curry leaves, 2-3 shallots, half a cup of water, and a teaspoon of turmeric. Grind the mixture until smooth. Add the coconut paste to the mashed raw papaya in the cooker. Heat the curry and bring it to a boil.

For the tadka, take a saucepan and heat some oil on a medium flame. Once the oil starts to warm, add mustard seeds. Add dried red chillies, some chopped onions, 4-5 curry leaves, chopped shallots, and stir the mixture until golden brown. In a serving bowl, pour the raw papaya curry and the tadka on top. Serve the raw papaya curry hot with rice or bread of your choice.

3. Raw papaya soup recipe

Ingredients:

1 raw papaya, chopped

2-3 tbsp ghee

1 tsp ginger, chopped

1 tsp turmeric powder

Salt to taste

1 tsp cumin powder

3-4 coriander leaves

Water

Method:

Heat some water in a medium-sized saucepan on a low flame. Place a similar-sized soup strainer over the saucepan. Add the chopped raw papaya to the strainer and cover it with a lid. Steam the raw papaya over a medium flame until soft. Let the steamed raw papaya cool at room temperature. In a blender, add the steamed raw papaya and blend until smooth. Add half a cup of water and blend again until smooth. In a saucepan, heat some ghee, ginger, and turmeric powder. Stir for 2-3 minutes and pour the raw papaya puree into it. Add a cup of water and stir well. Sprinkle some black pepper, cumin powder, and salt. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil. Turn off the flame and garnish the soup with some coriander leaves. Serve the raw papaya soup hot.

4. Raw papaya chutney recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups raw papaya, finely grated

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 tsp kalonji (nigella seeds)

1/2 tsp saunf (fennel seeds)

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp red chilli flakes

Method:

In a saucepan, heat the grated raw papaya and add brown sugar. Sauté the mixture until translucent. Add some water, stir the mixture, and cover the saucepan with a lid. Let the mixture cook for 8-10 minutes. Add kalonji, saunf, red chilli flakes, and salt. Sauté the chutney for 1-2 minutes and then turn off the flame. Enjoy raw papaya chutney with your meals.

5. Raw papaya fries recipe

Ingredients:

1 raw papaya, peeled and sliced

1 tbsp cornflour

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp chaat masala

1 tbsp oil

Salt to taste

4-5 coriander leaves

Method:

Soak the thin, fry-like sticks of the raw papaya in cold water for 10-15 minutes. After that, pat the sticks dry with a towel. In a bowl, add red chilli powder, turmeric, salt, and cornflour. Mix the ingredients. Add the papaya sticks and drizzle the oil. Toss the sticks until they are evenly coated with the mixture. Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for three minutes. Now, spread the coated raw papaya sticks in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 12-15 minutes. Shake the basket once during the heating process to get crisp, golden fries. Relish the hot green papaya fries with your favourite sauce.

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