I recently threw together a Spicy Green Papaya Relish. Partly because I had bought shredded green papaya at the Thai market on a whim and needed some way to use it up. But mostly because I can be a lazy cook. You might not think so, considering the hours I spend in the kitchen or the amount of thought I put into planning meals. I’m sure you know this, but eating well requires a cook to be creative and flexible, not to mention seasonal. But being creative in the kitchen day after day can be an exhausting chore if you let it.
Wine Pairing
Austerity Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Price $14–17
Pairs well with beef, lamb, barbecue, pasta with tomato sauce and some chocolate deserts.
So don’t let it. A simple fruit or vegetable relish is very typical of what I consider lazy cooking. It’s straightforward, flavorful and makes a minimal mess. It’s a colorful way to bring a simple splash of creativity to the plate. For the lazy cook (or the cook who’s in a lazy mood) this hot-sweet-sour Green Papaya Relish can lazily transform a simple grilled rib eye into an exotic dinner with complexity.
I say exotic because this Spicy Green Papaya Relish topped steak is rubbed with a homemade Jerk Seasoning– another shortcut all of us lazy cooks should keep in the pantry. This rub, in conjunction with the relish and my backyard grill, makes this lazy dinner a delicious Jamaican-Thai-American cross-cultural mash-up. Anything with that many hyphens has got to be exotic!
Spicy Green Papaya Relish and Wine?
Of course, one man’s lazy mash-up can lead to another man’s dilemma. I asked Ken to pair this grilled steak with a good bottle of wine. Grilled steak and Cabernet Sauvignon should be a lazy no-brainer. However, the sweet and sour, Spicy Green Papaya Relish could make this traditional red wine and red meat pairing problematic. Fortunately, Ken remembered tasting an Austerity Cabernet Sauvignon at a media event. There it was paired with Suzanne Goin’s Chocolate Tart. The nutty sweet tart gave Ken a clue that this wine might work in unexpected combinations. The 100% Austerity Cabernet has a lighter body and is fruit forward and exotically spiced enough to work well with the cocoa-infused rub and bold relish featured in this lazy Sunday Steak Supper at home. GREG
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice vinegar
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup lime juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cup julienned green papaya
- 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ habanero chile (minced, or more to taste)
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- salt and pepper (as needed for seasoning)
Directions
Stir together vinegar, honey, lime juice, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved in a medium bowl. Add the papaya, red onion, habanero, cilantro and mint and mix until combined, season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving. Drain each portion before using. Store leftovers in liquid, sealed in a jar and refrigerated.
Store covered at room temperature.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon ground coriander
- 2 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a sealable container. Stir or shake until fully combined.
Can’t wait to try this! Pinned
This looks great with all those wonderful flavors.
There is nothing like a good homemade jerk seasoning blend… it’s not lazy in my mind!
One time, a jerk rubbed his rib in my eye, but he didn’t do it with a green papaya relish!
Talk about cooked to perfection. That is exactly how I want my steak! And with that gorgeous relish — oh my! Seriously, that combination of spices with the fresh, tanginess of the relish is just fabulous.
You got me at Lazy Jerk Rib Eye and Green Papaya.
Now, if only I could find someone to make this for me tonight.…
Oh, yeah, this screams summer! Time to go fire up the grill. 🙂 Terrific flavor combos going on here — loads of edge, lots of flavor explosion. Good stuff — thanks.
What awesome flavor in this. Jerk and Papaya??? and steak? With Cabernet? Manservant would be in heaven.
What fun flavors!
The relish looks great and that photo of the Spicy Green Papaya Relish in a bowl is oh so sexy!
I love the sweet, sour, salty combination that is so typical of Thai food, pairing it with the home made Jerk seasoning sounds absolutely delightful and surprising on the palate. The steak looks awesome, perfectly cooked, to my taste.
I know what you mean about being a lazy cook, there are just some times that I want something wonderful but not have to spend a long time in the kitchen, but you could also call it good time management, I often have little time savers in the freezer, my pantry and spice drawer.
Yes Yes and Yes. I am totally the lazy cook these days. Believe simple = sensational, and lovely pairing- the wine and papaya relish.