Kitchen Tips for Thai Curries

Your tip for May 11, 2006 - KITCHEN TIPS FOR THAI CURRIES

Spicy curries are the core of Thai cooking. Curries start with a wet paste made from spices, herbs and chilies in place of the dried spice blends typical of South Asian cooking. With the growing availability of prepared curry pastes and canned Thai-style coconut milk in supermarkets, it is certainly possible to whip up a respectable Thai curry at home in no time.

These curry pastes combined with broth, beer, wine or even water, along with coconut milk, make a powerful flavor base for stewing meat, fish or vegetables. The richness of coconut milk balances wonderfully with both the vibrant spice and heatof these blends. Here are some of the curry pastes found in supermarkets:

Green Curry: This uniquely Thai curry packs a punch with lots of fresh green chilies, lemon grass, cilantro and spices. Hot and herby, it's well-suited for pork and seafood.

Red Curry: Dried red chilies provide the major kick here, along with heady spices like cardamom, white peppercorns and coriander. This blend works well with poultry and seafood.

Masamam and Panaeng curries: These reflect their Indian roots, scented with spices, and rich and sweet. They pair well with beef and lamb.

Yellow Curry: This curry also harks back to Indian origins with spices like turmeric. This blend goes well with chicken and potatoes.

Don't be surprised when you open one of these prepared pastes; the best ones are pungent. If you could eat the paste plain it wouldn't be strong enough in the final curry.

To make a curry base: Spoon a couple of tablespoons of the thick cream off the top of the coconut milk. Fry this with a couple tablespoons of curry paste over medium-high heat, until fragrant and the coconut cream gets thick and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Then add the remaining coconut milk and broth.

The base is now ready for cooking meat, fish or vegetables. Serve finished curry over rice.

Like these tips?
Please forward Susan's "Tip of the Day" to your friends.

You are also welcome to sign up for Susan's Daily Tips at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SusansDailyTips/

Find more great tips, ideas, and homemade, homebaked memories at http://www.homebakedmemories.com

Feel free to join us and share your own ideas...