Spicy, Sweet & Savory: Thai Recipes to Try at Home

As Thai cuisine continues to increase in popularity worldwide, many people are looking for ways to replicate the complex and unique flavors of Thai dishes at home. Luckily, Thai cooking is known for its versatility, blending sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in delicious combinations. In this article, we’ll take a look at several traditional Thai recipes that you can easily make in your own kitchen.

Tom Yum Goong – Hot & Sour Shrimp Soup

Tom Yum Goong is a classic Thai soup that is known for its spicy and tangy broth. This soup can be prepared with a variety of seafood, but shrimp is the most commonly used ingredient. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 2 cups of water
• 1 stalk of lemon grass, thinly sliced
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 6-8 small Thai chilies
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small piece of galangal, thinly sliced
• 1 cup of fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup of nam prik pao (roasted chili paste)
• 1 tbsp of fish sauce
• 2-3 tbsp of lime juice
• Roughly chopped cilantro leaves

Directions

1. In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add in lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and garlic.
2. Add galangal and shrimp to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the shrimp turns pink.
3. Stir in nam prik pao and fish sauce. Let the soup simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and add lime juice to the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot with cilantro leaves on top.

Pad Thai – Stir-Fried Noodles

Pad Thai is a dish that needs no introduction. It’s a staple in Thai restaurants and is beloved by food enthusiasts around the world. Making Pad Thai at home is easy, and the results are just as satisfying.

Ingredients

• 8 oz of Thai rice noodles
• 2 tbsp of oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of chopped tofu
• 1/2 lb of shrimp
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of bean sprouts
• 2 tbsp of fish sauce
• 2 tbsp of palm sugar
• 1 tbsp of tamarind paste
• Crushed peanuts
• Chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water for 15-20 minutes until soft.
2. In a wok or large pan, heat oil and add garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant.
3. Add tofu, shrimp, and eggs to the pan.
4. Stir-fry until the eggs are scrambled, and the shrimp are cooked.
5. Add the noodles to the wok and mix well with the ingredients.
6. Add bean sprouts, fish sauce, palm sugar, and tamarind paste.
7. Stir-fry until everything is well combined.
8. Serve hot with crushed peanuts and cilantro on top.

Gaeng Keow Wan Kai – Green Curry Chicken

Green Curry is a popular curry dish in Thai cuisine, featuring creamy coconut milk and spicy green curry paste. Here’s how to make it with chicken.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of green curry paste
• 2 cans of coconut milk
• 1 lb of chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup of chopped eggplant
• 1 cup of sliced bamboo shoots
• 1-2 tbsp of fish sauce
• 1-2 tbsp of palm sugar
• Kaffir lime leaves
• Thai basil

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat up the green curry paste with oil until fragrant.
2. Add in 1 can of coconut milk and stir until well combined.
3. Add chicken, eggplant, and bamboo shoots to the pot. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
4. Add in the remaining can of coconut milk, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
5. Turn off heat and add in kaffir lime leaves and Thai basil.
6. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Conclusion

Thai cuisine is all about bold flavors and vibrant ingredients. Whether you enjoy a sweet, spicy, or savory taste, there’s a Thai dish that caters to your palate. By experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, you can easily recreate authentic Thai dishes in your own kitchen.

FAQ

Q: Can I substitute tofu for shrimp in Pad Thai?

A: Yes, you can. Pad Thai is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. You can use any protein you prefer, or skip it altogether for a vegetarian version.

Q: Can I replace kaffir lime leaves with regular lime?

A: No, kaffir lime leaves have a unique flavor that cannot be replaced by regular lime. If you can’t find kaffir lime leaves, you can skip them or use lime zest as a substitute.

Q: How long can I store green curry in the refrigerator?

A: Green curry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.

Q: Can I make Tom Yum Goong with chicken instead of shrimp?

A: Yes, you can use chicken instead of shrimp in Tom Yum Goong. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Q: Should I rinse rice noodles after soaking them?

A: Yes, you should rinse rice noodles with cold water after soaking them to remove excess starch.

Q: How important is fish sauce in Thai cooking?

A: Fish sauce is an essential ingredient in Thai cuisine, providing a savory and salty flavor to dishes. However, if you have a seafood allergy or don’t like the taste of fish sauce, you can replace it with soy sauce or salt.

Q: Can I use regular sugar instead of palm sugar in Thai cuisine?

A: Palm sugar has a unique flavor that cannot be replicated by regular sugar. However, you can use brown sugar as a substitute if you can’t find palm sugar.

References

• https://www.delish.com/uk/cooking/recipes/a31460360/thai-green-curry-recipe/
• https://www.food.com/recipe/tom-yum-goong-138741
• https://www.eatingthaifood.com/pad-thai-recipe/
• https://www.templeofthai.com/cooking/pad_thai.php