Cooking the best Thai Green Curry

The features of the best Thai Green Curry are3. Take the "Green Curry paste"
prime chunks of tender chicken simmered in aingredients and in a mortar and pestle, or food
homemade green curry sauce along with fresh,processor, make a paste. If necessary, add a
healthy vegetables. This recipe is made differentfew Tbsp. of the coconut milk to help blend
by making the Green Curry paste yourself. Theingredients. Set aside.
result is a gourmet-style aromatic Thai green4. Heat up a wok or large frying pan over
curry and beautiful to serve. The key to a goodmedium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl around,
green curry is in not only using the rightthen add the curry paste.
ingredients, but knowing when to add them. Only5. Stir-fry briefly to release the fragrance (30
use small pieces or cuts of chicken, this allows forseconds to 1 minute), then add 3/4 of the
faster cooking and the freshest possible taste.coconut milk). Stir well to mix in.
Preparation time is 25 minutes and cooking is6. Add the chicken, stirring to incorporate. When
about 20. SERVES 2-3 Ingredients:the curry sauce comes to a boil, reduce heat to
1. 1 to 1.5 lbs. boneless chicken thigh or breast, cutmedium or medium-low, until you get a nice
into chunkssimmer.
2. 8 kaffir lime leaves (can be purchased at most7. Cover and allow to simmer 3-5 more minutes,
Asian food stores)or until chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.
3. A handful of fresh basil8. Add the red bell pepper and cucumber, plus the
4. 1 can coconut milkstrips of lime leaf, stirring well to incorporate.
5. 1 red bell pepper, de-seeded and cut intoSimmer another 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables
chunksare softened but still firm and colourful.
6. 1 cucumber, sliced lengthwise, then cut into9. Do a taste-test for salt, adding 1-2 Tbsp. fish
chunkssauce if not salty enough. If you'd prefer a
7. 2 Tbsp. Sunflower oilsweeter curry, add a little more sugar. If too
GREEN CURRY PASTE:salty, add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. If too
1. 4 small green Thai chilliesspicy, add more coconut milk. Note that this curry
2. 1/4 cup shallot, dicedshould be a balance of salty, spicy, sweet and
3. 4 cloves garlic, mincedsour, plus bitter (the bitter is found in the fresh
4. 1/2 stalk lemongrass, sliced thinlybasil garnish).
5. 1+1/2 tsp. ground coriander10. Serve this curry in bowls with rice served
6. 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves and stems,separately, allowing guests to add their own. Top
choppedeach portion with fresh basil, then drizzle over 2-3
7. 1 thumb-size piece galangal (Thai ginger), gratedTbsp. coconut milk. The above recipe is used at
8. 1 tsp. ground white pepper (can be purchasedManhattans Restaurant Wine Bar in Pattaya. The
at some supermarkets, OR at Asian food stores)fresh, succulent seafood is also superb, using the
9. 1 Tbsp. soy saucetreasures of the world’s oceans. The
10. 2 Tbsp. fish sauce, plus more to tasteExecutive Chef and partner, Mr. Steve Manning
11. 1 tsp. shrimp paste (or one extra Tbsp of fishhas created unique international cuisine. Our Thai
sauce if unavailable)food is the talk of the town, using only the
12. 1 tsp. sugarfreshest, top quality ingredients and spiced
Preparation:according to your palate. To compliment your
1. Prepare the chicken and chop the bell peppermeal, we offer an outstanding selection of
and cucumber.international fine wines and an extensive Wine by
2. Prepare the lime leaves by tearing the leafthe Glass Menu, unparalleled in Pattaya. Before or
away from either side of the stem. Discard theafter you dine, why not enjoy a drink and relax in
central stem. Then, using scissors, cut the limeour luxurious cocktail lounge.
leaves into thin strips. Reserve.