Green curry is a super popular Thai dish that everyone loves to order at restaurants. But at home, when I crave curry, I make different Thai curries. Sometimes it’s Thai Massaman Curry, and other times I love my Red Thai Shrimp Curry. But today, I decided to make my all-time favorite, Thai Green Chicken Curry. Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines, and it’s loved all over the world. While it’s often known for its spicy hot flavors, what I love most about Thai cuisine is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and spicy flavors that all work together in harmony. How spicy I make my Thai food is entirely up to me. “Hot” is a very relative term. What might be very hot for someone else can be just medium for me. The beauty of Thai food is that I can make it as hot and spicy as I like by just adjusting a few ingredients, and still enjoy the amazing Thai flavors. From mild curry to authentic Thai hot spicy, it’s all up to you. Many times though, chefs in your local Thai restaurant underestimate our ability to handle the spice, and cook it way too sweet, lacking the real authentic punch. So how about cooking your beloved Thai green curry in your very own kitchen, in pursuit to those authentic Thai flavors. It’s so much quicker and easier to make than you would think…
Ingredients Needed
Chicken – The most popular Thai Green curry is with chicken. But you can easily use the same recipe for shrimp, beef or fish, or skip the meat altogether. I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, as the meat remains juicy and tender after simmering it for a while. If you prefer chicken breast, adjust the cooking time so as not to toughen it up in the end. Thai Green Curry Paste – I usually use Mae Ploy or Maesri green curry paste. I always go to Asian stores for these authentic curry brands. I’ve tried some other curry brands from regular grocery stores, but they lack the authentic curry punch and tend to be way too sweet. Coconut Milk – It creates a rich, creamy base for Thai curry. Chicken Broth – Adds the volume and lends great taste. Use vegetable broth if going the vegan or vegetarian route. Veggies – Load them up!! I use broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, snap peas and Thai eggplants. Using Thai eggplants is very traditional and authentic in Thai green curry. These small Asian eggplants are ideal because they are like sponges when cooked until soft, soaking up the curry beautifully. Sauces and Seasonings – Soy sauce, fish sauce (a must for any Thai curry), brown sugar. Aromatics – Ginger, garlic and lemongrass (optional, but great). Basil – If you happen to have Thai basil, it is great here, but in its absence your regular basil works too. Oil
Authentic Thai Green Curry Recipe
Making your own homemade Thai Green Curry is extremely easy, and quicker than any of the other curries I cook, mainly because of using store bought curry paste. That makes it a perfect weeknight meal option if craving those addictive Thai flavors. It’s just a matter of sautéing the curry paste with your protein, and then letting it simmer with the rest of the ingredients in coconut milk and chicken broth. That easy. Here you go… First, I heat oil in a curry pot, add in chicken, and sauté until there is no more pink. Then, I add in Thai green curry paste and cook for 6-8 minutes until the curry paste is nicely cooked. This is the secret to getting great color and adding tons of flavor to the curry. Next, I add in ginger, garlic and carrots, then sauté for another 2-3 minutes. I pour in coconut milk along with chicken stock, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, basil leaves and lemongrass (only the inside white part, slightly bruised). I let it simmer for 10-15 minutes for all the flavors to develop. I add in veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini and Thai eggplant, and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until they start to get soft. Then I taste for salt, sugar and spice, and adjust according to my taste by adding sugar, fish sauce, or more green curry paste. (In my case, I keep adding curry paste to make it “hot” for me, and usually stop at 6 tablespoons total). Finally, I add snap peas and cook for 2-3 minutes. I serve it with some more fresh basil leaves and lime wedges.
Serving Suggestions
My absolute favorite way to enjoy Thai Green Curry is over fresh, warm white rice like jasmine or basmati rice. I serve it with fresh basil, cilantro and lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor. I also love using this curry base with noodles to enjoy it like a ramen or pho. Serve the Thai curry with a side of cool Asian cucumber salad.
How to Make Homemade Thai Green Curry Paste
If you are inspired to make Thai green curry from scratch, you can make your own homemade Thai green curry paste from scratch, and use it as a base for your curry. It’s just a matter of finding the right ingredients (most of them can be found in good Asian grocery stores). The green color in this curry comes from the main ingredient in the green curry paste, which is fresh green chilis, hence the name green curry. Curry paste is traditionally made by pounding the ingredients in a stone mortar and pestle until it becomes a fine texture. But now a days, you can use your blender for less elbow work. Here are the ingredients for green curry paste:
5 long green chilis 10 green Thai chilis (more or less to taste) 5 shallots 2 lemongrass stalks 11 garlic cloves A handful of Thai basil leaves A bunch of fresh cilantro 2 inches galangal 2 kaffir lime leaves 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon white peppercorns 1 teaspoon salt
Blending the Green Thai curry paste Now, how about making your favorite Thai food any day, any time in your own kitchen. No more ordering mediocre Thai curry from your local Thai restaurant. Just gather all the Asian staples and whip up these amazing flavors tonight, and scarf it down to your heart’s content. Make my version of chicken Thai curry tonight, Thai Hot… medium spicy… or mild… The choice is yours! Be sure to check our other cracking Asian Recipes and Curry Recipes on GypsyPlate, and come back again for all the new flavors coming to you.
Thai Green Curry, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great curries from around the world!Indian Chicken MasalaJamaican Curry ChickenAustralian Curried SausagesJapanese Beef CurryPork VindalooCountry CaptainTrini Curry ChickenVietnamese Chicken Curry
