Vietnamese Pho

 

For the broth

• 1 lb short ribs with bone
• 4 slices ox tail
• 2 marrow bones
• 3 scallions , cut in halves
• 1 whole star anise
• 1 whole nutmeg
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 5 whole cloves
• 5 pods cardamom
• ½ lb daikon , julienned

For the toppings

• 8 oz. rice noodles (ideally bánh phở)
• Soybean sprouts
• 10 scallions
• ½ bunch mint
• ½ bunch cilantro
• ½ bunch Thai basil
• 2 lb round (sirloin, or shank)
• 3 limes
• 2 hot peppers

Instructions

• Heat a frying pan and roast the spices (star anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cardamom) for a few minutes to develop their aroma.
• Place these spices in a tea ball or cheesecloth (tied with kitchen twine).
• In a large pot, place the scallions, the ribs, the marrow bones, the ox tail slices and the spice tea ball.
• Add the julienned daikon.
• Cover with water and bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat. Cover to three quarters (do not close the lid completely) and simmer for 3 hours. If necessary, skim the fat as it is cooking.
• At the end of cooking, filter the broth. Thinly slice the ribs and the ox tail and set aside.
• Cook the rice vermicelli in a large volume of boiling salted water for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.
• Thinly slice the round (sirloin or beef shank) and set aside.
• Rinse and drain the soybean sprouts. Rinse, dry and then roughly chop the herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil).
• In individual bowls, place the ingredients in this order:

  - rice noodles

  - daikon

  - slices of round (sirloin or shank)

  - slices of short ribs

  - slices of ox tail

  - soybean sprouts

  - herbs and thinly sliced scallions
• Pour the hot broth into each bowl and serve immediately after adding the juice of half a lime and thinly sliced hot pepper (optional) in each bowl.
• Mix the food for about thirty seconds using chopsticks and enjoy.

Notes

Tip: place the meat in the freezer for 30 minutes before slicing it. The meat is firmer, and it becomes easier to thinly slice.

Thai Curry Noodle soup

 

2 tbsp coconut oil
2 large desiree potatoes, peeled, cut into 4cm chunks
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup (150g) yellow curry paste
800ml coconut milk
2 cups (500ml) chicken stock
1/4 cup (60ml) fish sauce
1/2 tsp brown sugar
Juice of 1 lime
600g skinless chicken thigh fillets
200g dried rice noodles, cooked according to packet instructions
2 cups baby spinach
1 long red chilli, thinly sliced
Thai basil leaves plus coriander leaves, to serve

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over high heat and add the potato. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly, then add the onion and cook, stirring, for a further 2-3 minutes or until soft. Add curry paste and stir until fragrant and potato and onion are coated. Stir in the coconut milk, stock and 2 cups (500ml) water until combined. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until potato is just soft.

2. Stir in fish sauce, sugar and lime juice. Check seasoning for balance and add more fish sauce, sugar or lime as required. Cut chicken into 3cm pieces, add to sauce and simmer gently for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through

3. To serve, divide the noodles among bowls. Ladle the curry sauce over the noodles and garnish with spinach, chilli Thai basil and coriander to serve.

Garlic confit sauce with greek yogurt

 Ingredients

- 1 cup peeled garlic
- 1 cup raw peeled almonds (if using it)
- 3 cups olive oil
- 2 tbsp of herbs of your choice (Thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano or mint)
- 2 cups full fat greek yogurt
- 1 lemon use the zest for the confit and the juice for the sauce.

1. Combine the garlic, almonds (if using it), herbs, lemon zest and olive oil into a sauce pan. Simmer for one hour or until the garlic become brown.

2. Remove the lemon zest and using a blender mix the all the ingredients except the lemon zest.

3. Add more olive oil if you would like the texture to be runnier.

Shrimp Pad Thai

 


Ingredients

PAD THAI SAUCE

• 35 g palm sugar, chopped (3 Tbsp tightly packed)
• 3 Tbsp (45 ml) water
• 4 Tbsp Thai cooking tamarind 
• 2 Tbsp good fish sauce 

PAD THAI

• 4oz (115g) dry rice noodles, medium size, soak in room temp water for 1 hour (see note 2)
• 2 Tbsp dried shrimp, medium size, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ¼ cup roughly chopped shallots
• 3 oz (85 g) pressed tofu, cut into small pieces
• 3 Tbsp finely chopped SWEET preserved daikon radish (see note 3)
• Dried chili flakes, to taste (optional)
• 3 Tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil
• 10 medium sized shrimp, or as many as you like (to sub other protein, see note 4)
• 2 eggs
• 2 ½ cups (120 g)bean sprouts, loosely packed
• 10 stalks garlic chives, cut into 2” pieces
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
• 1 lime
• Garnishes and condiments for serving: chili flakes, roasted peanuts, bean sprouts and garlic chives.

(In Thailand, fresh banana blossom is sometimes served on the side of pad thai. I don't love them personally, but if you do and can find them, go for it!)

Instructions

TO MAKE PAD THAI SAUCE (SEE NOTE 5): 

1. Add palm sugar to a small pot and melt over medium heat. Once the sugar is melting, keep stirring until it darkens in colour (see video for colour). Immediately add water, fish sauce, and tamarind paste. The sugar will harden immediately and this is okay.
2. Bring sauce to a simmer, then turn off heat. The hardened sugar will not have dissolved at this point, but let it sit while you prep other ingredients and it should be dissolved by the time you need it. Check that it is dissolved before you start cooking!

TO MAKE PAD THAI (SEE NOTE 6): 

1. Cut drained noodles once with scissors so they are half as long. This makes them easier to toss and separate in the wok.
2. In a bowl, combine tofu, garlic, shallots, preserved radish, dried shrimp, and chili flakes.
3. Heat a wok or a large nonstick skillet over high heat and add just enough oil to coat the bottom. Sear shrimp, or whatever protein you're using, until done and remove them from pan.
4. In the same wok over medium heat, add a little more oil if needed, then add everything in the tofu bowl and sauté for a few minutes until garlic starts to turn golden and shallots are wilted. If the wok looks dry, add a little more oil. (Don't skimp on oil otherwise the noodles will clump up together.) 
5. Turn heat up to high then add noodles and sauce. Keep tossing until all the sauce is absorbed.
6. Once sauce is absorbed, you can turn off the heat and taste the noodles for doneness. If they're still undercooked, add a little more water and continue cooking, being careful not to add too much water!
7. Once noodles are done, push them to one side of the pan. Add add little extra oil to the empty space and add eggs. Break the yolks, then put noodles on top of eggs and cook for about 30 seconds. Flip and toss to mix eggs into noodles. 
8. Toss the cooked protein back in, plus any collected juices. Then add bean sprouts, garlic chives and half of the peanuts. Turn off the heat and toss until well mixed.
9. Serve immediately with a lime wedge and extra peanuts on top. For a classic presentation you can add a little extra side of bean sprouts and some garlic chives garnish.
10. Do not use the black, sticky "tamarind concentrate" from India as it is much more concentrated and cannot be used in the same way in this recipe. Either make it from pulp or buy the brown paste that is from Thailand or Vietnam.
11. You can soak noodles in advance, drain, and keep them well sealed in the fridge for a few days. I use Erawan brand noodles. Some brands, such as Thai Kitchen, have thinner noodles and take less time. Keep an eye on them and drain once the noodles are completely pliable (no resistance when bending). No time to soak? See emergency noodle-soaking in the blog post.
12. Thai sweet preserved radish is hard to find, but you can omit or use the Japanese version instead which is called “takuan” and is bright yellow. See blog post for more info.
13. If using chicken, pork or beef, slice into bite-sized pieces and marinate them with just a bit of fish sauce or soy sauce so the meat isn't bland.
14. You can make a big batch of sauce in advance and store indefinitely in the fridge.
15. I recommend cooking no more than 2-3 servings at a time to avoid crowding the pan and making the noodles soggy.
16. Be sure to squeeze a bit of lime on top before eating!
    
    
    

Pad Thai

 Pad thai (ผัดไทย) is probably the most famous Thai dish around the world but it is also one of the least traditional dishes in Thai cuisine.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. Thai rice noodles (sen lek or เส้นเล็ก)
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 6 Chinese chives (or scallions)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons tamarind concentrate
• 2 tablespoons palm sugar
• 1 shallot , finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon pickled turnip (optional)
• ½ cup extra firm tofu
• ½ lime
• 2 tablespoons crushed peanut
• 4 shrimps
• ½ teaspoon crushed chili
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 4 teaspoons fish sauce (namh pla or น้ำปลา)
• 1 egg
• Black pepper

Instructions

• Start by soaking the dry noodles in water at room temperature while preparing the other ingredients, about 30 minutes.
• The noodles should end up being soft but not mushy.
• Roast the peanuts in a pan without oil for a few minutes.
• Cut tofu into thin 1-inch (2,5cm) strips.
• Fry the tofu separately in a pan with a little oil until golden brown.
• Cut Chinese chives into 1-inch strips (2,5cm) diagonally.
• Set aside a few pieces of fresh chive for garnish.
• Rinse bean sprouts and keep half for garnish.
• Heat cast iron skillet or heavy bottomed pan over high heat and add vegetable oil.
• Add shallot, pickled turnip (optional), garlic and tofu and stir until they begin to brown.
• Drain noodles and add to the skillet. Stir quickly to prevent the noodles from sticking.
• Add the tamarind concentrate, palm sugar, fish sauce and chili. Stir.
• Keep on high heat so that the liquid evaporates.
• Make room for the egg by pushing the noodles to the sides of the pan.
• Break the egg in the middle of the pan and stir until it is almost cooked.
• Stir the egg in the noodles. The noodles should be soft and tender.
• If the noodles are too hard and undercooked, add a little water.
• Add shrimps and stir. Sprinkle with pepper.
• Add the bean sprouts and chives and stir.
• Pour the mixture on a serving platter and sprinkle with crushed chili and peanuts.
• Serve hot with a wedge of lime on the side, and fresh Chinese chives and bean sprouts on top.
• Add Sambal or crushed chili to spice it up.

Kofta Curry

 Kofta curry is a recipe for deliciously spiced traditional Pakistani meatballs, that are served in a creamy sauce and saffron rice.

Ingredients

For the koftas

• 1½ lb ground beef
• 3 small onions , chopped (about 2 cups/400g)
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 fresh hot pepper , finely chopped (optional)
• Salt
• Pepper

For the sauce

• 3 onions , chopped
• 5 cloves garlic , chopped
• 1 (2-inch) piece ginger , chopped
• 2½ teaspoons turmeric
• 2½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 2½ teaspoons Cayenne pepper
• 3½ teaspoons garam masala
• 1 hot pepper , finely chopped (optional)
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1½ lb tomatoes , peeled, seeded and crushed
• 1¼ cup yogurt
• Vegetable oil
• Salt
• Pepper

For the saffron rice

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 onions , chopped
• 7 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon saffron (or ground saffron)
• 2½ teaspoons cumin seeds
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

Kofta curry

• Mix all the kofta ingredients in a bowl.
• Form small meatballs the size of a walnut and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Sweat the onion in a pan with hot oil over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, chili and spices and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the meatballs and sauté them so that they are golden on all sides.
• Add the tomato sauce and the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes.
• Add the yogurt and continue cooking on low heat for about 15 minutes.
• Serve the meatballs, topped with the sauce. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve saffron rice on the side (recipe below)

Saffron rice

• Rinse the rice and drain well.
• Sweat the chopped onion over medium heat in a pan with hot oil. When translucent, add saffron and cumin seeds and mix for one minute.
• Add the rice and mix for 5 minutes until the rice soaks the oil and turns yellow.
• Add 3 cups (750 ml) of boiling water, and add salt.
• Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover as tightly as possible and cook for about 20 minutes.

Kimchi Fried Rice

 

Kimchi fried rice or kimchi-bokkeum-bap (김치 볶음밥) is a variety of bokkeum-bap (fried rice) popular in Korea. Fried rice with kimchi is mainly composed of kimchi and rice, as well as other ingredients, such as diced vegetables or meat such as spam.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. spam bacon or diced ham
• 8 oz. kimchi 
• 4 tablespoons kimchi juice
• ½ small onion diced
• 2 scallions chopped
• 1 small carrot finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (hot pepper paste)
• 2 cups short-grain rice steamed
• ½ tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 fried eggs hot
• 1 sheet roasted gim (dried seaweed)
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

• Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.
• Add the pieces of spam, bacon or ham.
• Brown until the pieces are lightly golden.
• Add the onion and 1 scallion and brown quickly over high heat.
• Add the kimchi, carrot, kimchi juice, soy sauce and gochujang. Stir and sauté for 4 minutes.
• Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and mix.
• Add the rice and reduce over medium-low heat. Stir until everything is well mixed and cook for 4 minutes. Once the rice is evenly coated with seasoning, increase the heat and continue to fry the rice, stirring occasionally.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the sesame oil and half the sesame seeds.
• Serve and garnish with a fried egg, the rest of the sesame seeds, strips of dried seaweed and the rest of the scallion.

Notes

It is best to use a well-fermented kimchi for the rich, robust flavor it develops.