Easy Thai Curry

The great thing about curry is its versatility. You can use chicken, pork, beef or thicker fillets of fish cut into one-inch cubes, or choose tofu or peeled and deveined shrimp to star in the dish. (If you use frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw it before cooking.) Or, just double up the vegetables to make it vegetarian or vegan.

Avoid "lite" coconut milk as it's just watered-down coconut milk. Serve with cooked rice, rice noodles or even ramen noodles. The latter isn't traditional, but they cook quickly and tastes great. This recipe cooks quickly so prep everything first before you start.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Thai

Servings 4

Ingredients

Vegetables (mix and match)

4 ounces mushrooms (125g)
4 ounces cabbage (125g)
2 carrots
1 small handful cilantro or basil
1 lime

Protein (your choice)

1 lb chicken, beef, pork, fish, tofu or shrimp (500g)

For the curry sauce

1 cup coconut milk (about half a 14 oz. can)
1/4 cup curry paste (about half a 4 oz. can)
1 cup chicken stock or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 pinch red chili flakes
3 or 4 slices fresh gingerroot

Instructions

Prepare vegetables first by slicing or chopping into thin, bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop cilantro or basil; keep it a bit leafy. Quarter lime. Dice the meat, fish or tofu into 1-inch cubes. If using shrimp, peel and devein. Set aside.
Shake the can of coconut milk before opening to mix the solids and liquids. Add a half cup of coconut milk to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Reduce by half, stirring occasionally. This should take about five minutes. Whisk in the curry paste, stirring for about a minute. Then add in the broth, sugar, fish sauce, chili flakes, lime zest and another half cup of coconut milk. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Add the meat, tofu or seafood, ginger slices and carrots. After 2 minutes add the mushrooms and cabbage. Simmer until everything is tender and cooked through, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and taste, adding more fish sauce, sugar or chili flakes as desired. Garnish with chopped basil or cilantro and lime wedges.

Keyword budget friendly, chicken, Easy, Versatile