Green Papaya Salad

1/2 pound green papaya
1 clove garlic
2 to 3 red chile peppers, seeded
1 tomato, sliced
1 to 2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice
lettuce leaves or cabbage squares
1 lime, cut into wedges

GARNISH: red chile peppers (optional)

Peel and seed papaya; shred. Grind together garlic and red chile peppers in a food processor or mortar. Mix together the papaya, tomato, fish sauce and lime juice; add in garlic mixture and toss lightly. Place a portion of papaya mixture onto a lettuce leaf or cabbage square and form into a packet to eat. Serve with wedges of lime. Garnish with red chile peppers.