If you do not have a mortar and pestle, I think is time to invest in one now. You can pound, crush, grind, stir, pulverise, all in one ancient food preparing stone tool that even sometimes a food processor cannot replace its functionality. In theory, to make a fine paste by using a food processor, it will just chop and combine, whereas a M&P actually grinds, crushes and pulverises the ingredients to release more of the flavours and natural oils. Especially to prepare this simple Thai green papaya salad, it actually uses the M&P to its full potential, from crushing, stirring to pounding.