[ THE ELECTRIC KITCHEN ]

Chili fires
up papaya

Lisa Nazareno of the Thai Kitchen in Waipahu, one of more than 20 restaurants that will participate in the Taste at Kapolei this weekend, shares these recipes.

The Rotary Club of Kapolei's sixth annual benefit event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the fourth lagoon at Ko Olina Resort. Visit the Web site, www.tasteatkapolei.com or call 671-2007.

Check it out -- you'll have a good time, eat great food and feel good knowing the proceeds support educational programs for Leeward Oahu students.

Thai Kitchen Green Papaya Salad

3 Thai chili peppers
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 medium tomato, sliced
1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
3-1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1-1/2 cups shredded green papaya
2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
Cabbage and lettuce leaves, for garnish

Using a mortar and pestle, crush chilies and garlic together. Add tomatoes and lightly crush. If a mortar and pestle are unavailable, finely chop chilies and garlic, and roughly chop tomatoes.

Place chilies, garlic and tomatoes in a large bowl, add sugar, fish sauce and lime juice; mix well. Add papaya and toss to evenly season.

Top with peanuts and garnish with cabbage and lettuce. Serves 2.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 130 calories, 5 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 6 g protein

Tom Yam Goong

(Spicy Prawn Soup)

4 cups chicken stock
1 stalk lemongrass, sliced diagonally in 1-inch lengths
5 kaffir lime leaves, torn
1 can (15-ounce) straw mushrooms, drained, rinsed and halved
1 tablespoon Thai roasted chili paste (nam prik phao)
9 crushed hot chili peppers
2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice
9 large tiger prawns, peeled and cleaned

Bring chicken stock to boil, add lemongrass, kaffir and mushrooms, and boil about 3 minutes.

Add chili paste, chilies, fish sauce, lime juice and prawns; simmer until prawns are cooked through. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 120 calories, 2.5 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 50 mg cholesterol, 1,630 mg sodium, 15 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 11 g protein.

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