The combination of fresh crisp vegetables and a warm hearty soup is perfect for these snowy January days, without being too heavy. Fresh and pureed mango add a bright sweet taste to this Thai curry.
I made this heavy on vegetables, so it came out more like a stew. For a more traditional consistency, add additional broth or coconut milk.
RECIPE:
Filed under Main Dishes, Soups/Stews/Curries
While this is usually served as an appetizer in Thai restaurants, we like to give it center stage and serve it as a main course. It is easily one of Julia’s top 2 favorite meals.
Thin strips of chicken are marinated in a pungent blend of spices, and then glazed with a peanut sauce during the final minutes of cooking.
Traditionally, the chicken is threaded onto bamboo skewers before cooking. However, in the interest of time and ease, I usually skip the skewers.
These are great grilled outside, but can also be cooked quickly under a broiler.
Serve with cooked rice and additional peanut sauce for dipping.
RECIPE:
Filed under Appetizers, Main Dishes
We have an abundance of Thai basil growing in planters in our back yard. Due to a plethora of rabbits, we have been unsuccessful at growing vegetables, so I have switched to herbs and flowers. Unfortunately, I may need to switch to all herbs next year…
But at least my Thai Basil is going strong, and is not a preferred bunny snack.
I love seared tuna steaks, because they are quick and easy to cook, and if not overcooked, are tender and delicious, without tasting “fishy”. A screaming hot cast iron skillet is the best way to cook them, searing for no more that 1 minute on each side. After searing, I add a small amount of the sauce into the skillet and cook for 15 seconds on each side to give a nice glaze to the fish.
Serve immediately, sliced across the grain, with additional sauce for dipping.
RECIPE: Continue reading
Filed under Main Dishes
This shredded pork wrap filling can be made in an Instant Pot or slow cooker. The pork is seasoned with a soy peanut marinade and makes a flavorful meal everyone will love. Top with chopped peanuts and julienned cucumbers for a great crunch.
Serve in tortillas for wraps. For a low-carb meal, use Bibb or Butter lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps, or serve on a bed of chopped lettuce.
RECIPES:
Filed under Instant Pot, Low Carb/Keto, Main Dishes
Mango Sticky Rice may be the primary reason my kids love eating at Thai restaurants. They also love the curries, stir-fries and satays, but this simple dessert definitely tops the list.
Making this at home may not be as much fun as a night out for dinner, but it sure saves the pocketbook! And with this recipe, there is always lots to go around, so there is no fighting for the last bite.
The two main types of mangoes you find here in the US are Haden and Ataulfo. The orange/red/green Haden mangoes are the most common, but the smaller yellow Ataulfo mangoes are my favorite. They are very sweet and have fewer strings than the larger Hadens.
For a complete Thai dinner experience, try one of these curries as an entrée before your Mango Sticky Rice:
RECIPE:
1 cup short grain white rice
1 ½ cups unsweetened refrigerated coconut milk (or use water)
1 can coconut milk (do not use lite; do not shake can)
6 Tbs sugar, divided
1 tsp salt, divided
3 ripe mangoes, chilled
Combine rice and 1 ½ cups refrigerated coconut milk or water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked. Alternately, cook rice with coconut milk in a rice cooker.
Carefully open the can of coconut milk and scoop out the thick coconut cream from the top of the can. Set cream aside in a small bowl. Pour the thinner coconut milk from the bottom of the can into a small saucepan. Stir in 4 Tbs sugar and ¾ tsp salt. Heat over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, but do not boil. Remove from heat and slowly stir the hot sweetened coconut sauce into the rice in the pan. Cover and let sit for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Place the thick coconut cream in a small saucepan. Stir in 2 Tbs sugar and ¼ tsp salt. Cook over low heat until cream melts and sugar dissolves. Do not boil.
Slice chilled mangoes.
Place ½ cup of the warm cooked, sweetened rice onto each serving plate. Top with about ½ of a chilled, sliced mango. Drizzle with sweetened coconut cream. Serve immediately.
NoEmptyChairs.me
After spending the month of February with temperatures in the 70s, we are having a brief cold snap. Perfect weather for a bowl of hot Thai Green Curry. Although around here, any temperature is good weather for a delicious curry.
Curry pastes vary widely in their spiciness. My favorite green curry paste is this variety from Maesri. It is, however, extremely spicy. As you are adding your curry paste to the broth, add in small amounts, tasting before adding additional paste, until you reach your desired spice tolerance.
RECIPE:
about 3 Tbs coconut oil, divided
3-4 Thai eggplant, cubed (or 1 medium zucchini, cubed)
½ cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup diagonally sliced asparagus
3-4 Tbs green curry paste (divided)
1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
2 cans coconut milk
1 cup water (or Swanson Thai ginger broth)
1 tsp fish sauce
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 red chilies, thinly sliced
1 package firm tofu, cubed
¼ cup Thai basil leaves, sliced
Lime wedges
Hot cooked rice
Heat 1 Tbs coconut oil in a large pot. Add eggplant to hot oil and cook for 3 minutes (eggplant will not be completely cooked). Remove eggplant from pan and set aside. If necessary, add an additional tablespoon of oil to the pot and cook mushrooms and asparagus for 3-4 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Set aside in a separate bowl from the eggplant. Add 1 Tbs coconut oil and 1 Tbs curry paste to the pot. Cook until fragrant. Add chicken to pot and cook until outside is no longer pink, but chicken is not completely cooked.
Add coconut milk and water to the pot with the chicken and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and stir in partially cooked eggplant, fish sauce, brown sugar, salt, red chilies and tofu. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until chicken and eggplant are cooked through. (If using zucchini, instead of eggplant, do not return to the curry until just before serving).
Add additional curry paste until desired level of spiciness is reached (add in small amounts and taste after each addition). Return asparagus and mushrooms to the curry. Add additional water if curry is too thick.
Stir in sliced basil leaves just before serving. Serve with lime wedges over hot rice, if desired.
NoEmptyChairs.me
Filed under Main Dishes, Soups/Stews/Curries
Raspberry Sweet Rolls
Chicken Tikka Masala
Caramelized Onion Dip
Coconut Cream Pie Bars
Thai Green Curry
Ratatouille
Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake
Bacon Jalapeno Scones
Fried Rice
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
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