Thai style pork curry with coconut: cracking recipe, and so simple
It was one of those days. The family needed feeding. What did we have in the fridge? “Not a lot”, was the answer. “Some pork is in the freezer.” Hmmmm, now that’s a great help – NOT! Down to the minimart I trudged with a list of 4 items, and ended up back upstairs in kitchen Kennett with 3 carrier bags full of stuff.
I am sticking this into the Thai section, as I used fish sauce, not salt. It reminds me of a Thai version of my Filipino Bicol Express, or BK Express as I called it. It went down a storm with the family!
To make enough for four of this Thai Style Pork Recipe you will need:
- 500g lean pork fillets finely sliced into bite-sized pieces;
- 1 stalk of lemon grass, first peeled to the young flesh then finely chopped;
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped;
- 1 inch of ginger peeled and finely chopped;
- 2 small red onions finely chopped;
- The juice of one lemon and one lime;
- ½ litre of coconut cream;
- ½ litre of coconut milk;
- 3 dried chilies that have been soaked in clean water for 20 minutes, then finely chopped; and
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce.
Heat some oil in a pan until piping hot, and stir-fry the lemon grass, garlic, ginger, and onions until they are sweated down – soft not burnt.
Add the pork and cook this on high heat until it starts to brown. This should take no more than 5-10 minutes if the heat is high enough.
Keep the heat high and add the coconut milk, coconut cream, lemon juice, and lime juice. This is likely to bubble away immediately – DON’T panic. Keep it high and keep stirring it, or at least keep an eye on it so the coconut does not burn. Cook this for about 5 minutes. Then reduce the heat down to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
The Thai Style Pork Recipe mixture should turn a light brown colour. Whilst simmering you want to reduce the liquid by about a third, so it turns a little more like a sticky gravy. Ensure the pork is cooked through by taking your fattest piece and cutting it in half. If any red ooze, you need more cooking.
That’s really it. Take it off the heat. Have a wee taste. Likely it is quite sweet, maybe too sweet. Now add in the fish sauce stir and taste again. Boom, notice then change. Now you can serve.
Hold on Kennett you forgot the chilies in the Thai Style Pork Recipe, I can hear you crying. OK, I may be old but not that old. Now because my 5-year-old is not yet up to our chili heat I served her portion first without the chili. I then stirred in the chopped chili for the adults and my son. You have now enabled yourself to cater for two taste buds with the same dish, and because I used dried chili the flavor seemed to mix in much quicker.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the secret to good Thai curry? | The secret to good Thai curry is using fresh and high-quality ingredients, balancing flavors, and mastering the use of Thai curry pastes and coconut milk. |
| What is Thai style curry? | Thai-style curry is a flavorful and aromatic dish made with a blend of herbs, spices, and coconut milk, often served with meats, seafood, or vegetables. |
| How to make Thai curry thick and creamy? | To make Thai curry thick and creamy, you can use coconut milk, reduce it over low heat, or add ingredients like peanut butter or ground nuts for creaminess. |
| What are the six ingredients commonly used in Thai curry pastes? | The six common ingredients in Thai curry pastes are garlic, shallots, lemongrass, galangal, cilantro roots, and Thai bird’s eye chilies. |
| What thickens a Thai curry? | Coconut milk is a common ingredient that thickens a Thai curry. You can also use ground nuts, cornstarch, or rice flour to thicken the curry. |
| What are 3 key ingredients in Thai food? | Three key ingredients in Thai food are fish sauce, lime, and Thai basil, which contribute to the unique flavors of Thai cuisine. |
| What are Thai 5 spices? | Thai 5 spices, also known as “Pae-lo” spices, typically include star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and coriander seeds, used in Thai cooking. |
| What are the 5 flavors in Thai food? | The five flavors in Thai food are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Thai cuisine aims to balance these flavors in each dish. |
| What are the 4 pillars of Thai cooking? | The four pillars of Thai cooking are sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. These elements are crucial for creating the signature taste of Thai dishes. |
This Thai Style Pork Recipe turned out rather nicely I have to say. We served this with white rice, but equally, it would have been really good with noodles. Your choice. Super yummy!
