Thai Green Curry (Gaeng Khiao Waan Gai)

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Course: Main Courses - Poultry

Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

4 to 6 Tablespoons Green Curry Paste Maesri Preferred
- Or 1 Recipe Homemade Green Curry Paste
2 Large Garlic Cloves Minced
2 Teaspoons Finely Grated Ginger or Ginger Paste
1 Tablespoon Lemongrass Paste
- Or 2 Teaspoons Fresh Lemongrass Finely Minced
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth
14 Ounces Coconut Milk
1 Teaspoon Fish Sauce
1 Teaspoon Sugar
6 Makrut (Thai) Lime Leaves Torn in Half (See Note)
12 Ounces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs Cut In Bite Sized Pieces
1 1/2 Cup Cauliflower Florets
1 Large Zucchini Sliced
4 to 5 Large Cremini Mushrooms Stems Removed & Sliced
1 Handful Snow Peas Small Pods Preferred
16 Thai Basil Leaves
Juice of 1/2 Lime
Cilantro For Garnish

Instructions

Combine green curry paste, garlic, ginger paste and lemongrass paste in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
If using homemade green curry paste, omit garlic, ginger and lemongrass.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Turn on the exhaust over your stove top. Add curry paste mixture and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it mostly dries out. DO NOT breathe in the fumes!
Add chicken broth and coconut milk; mix to dissolve the paste. Add fish sauce, sugar, and lime leaves. Mix and bring to a simmer.
Add chicken, stir and then lower the heat to medium so that it is bubbling gently. Cook for 7 minutes.
Add cauliflower and cook 2 minutes more. Add zucchini and mushrooms. Cook until just barely tender, about 3 minutes. Taste the sauce. Add fish sauce for more saltiness or sugar for more sweetness. Add snow peas and cook 2 minutes until a bit softened.
Remove from heat. Do not keep simmering or the sauce will darken. Stir in basil leaves and lime juice.
Serve curry over jasmine rice and garnished with cilantro.

Notes

About Makrut Lime Leaves: This is the less well known name for the specific variety of lime leaves commonly used in Thai cooking. The more common name, unfortunately, is also an offensive racial slur, so I will not be using it here. If you have any question about this ingredient, please do a google search and help educate others by using the term "Makrut" or simply refer to the plant as the Thai lime.

Other vegetables can be used depending on your tastes and what might be lurking in your refrigerator. Some suggestions include: Japanese eggplant, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin. You will have to consider the various cooking times of each addition so that everything is cooked, but not mushy at the end of the cooking process.

In total, the sauce should simmer for 13 to 15 minutes to achieve the right flavor and thickness.

You can also use different proteins. If you use fish or shrimp, add it in the last couple minutes of cooking. If using beef or pork, choose quick cooking cuts, sliced thin, seasoned with salt and pepper and seared prior to adding to sauce.