Curry paste is one of the ingredients that can instantly take your cooking to Thailand. It is the foundation of most Thai dishes. It is a pungent mixture of chilies, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, and spices. The best thing about curry paste is that it is versatile. It is not only used in traditional curries. You can enhance everyday meals that you are already cooking at home with a single spoonful. Here is how:
The classic curry
The most apparent one would be the curries. Heat a tablespoon of curry paste in the oil until it is fragrant. Then add coconut milk, protein, and vegetables. Here, you can use any of the following:
- Red curry paste: It is warmer and richer.
- Green curry paste: It is spicier and fresher.
- Yellow curry paste: It is earthy and mild.
Stock a jar of your favorite in a refrigerator. If you are gluten-sensitive, look for gluten-free curry paste. The jars are clearly labelled. With that, you will always be minutes away from an easy one-pot meal.
Soups with a kick
Curry paste also does wonders in soups. Add a spoonful to a pot of:
- Chicken broth
- Vegetable soup
- Mushroom sauce
- Shrimp sauce.
For balance, top it up with lime juice and cilantro. A little curry paste can make basic noodle soup more spicy and fragrant.
Stir-fries with extra flavor
Tired of the same old stir-fry? Curry paste can change that. You can add a little bit of paste after cooking your vegetables or meat. Just use it instead of pure soy sauce and garlic. Then, add coconut milk or stock to make a light sauce that holds everything well. Keep in mind:
- Red curry paste is a good match with chicken and bell peppers
- Green curry paste makes broccoli, zucchini, and tofu come alive.
Marinades and rubs
Curry paste is not only intended for the pan. It is a great marinade. Here is a guide:
- Combine a spoonful with yogurt or coconut milk
- Pour a dash of lime juice
- Use to coat chicken, shrimp, or even vegetables
- Then grill.
The paste makes it all so tasty. On the other hand, the yogurt or the coconut milk makes it tender. Brushing it on skewers before cooking will give you Thai-inspired kebabs. Do not be surprised when everything vanishes from the serving tables in no time!
Surprising everyday uses
This is where the creativity can take place:
- Add curry paste to scrambled eggs to make a spicy breakfast
- Blend it with mayonnaise to make a sandwich smear
- Drizzle over salad dressings. You can also mix it into hummus as a Thai touch.
You only need to experiment. Soon, you will find out how readily it adapts to non-traditional dishes.
Concluding remarks
You do not have to learn complex recipes to use Thai curry paste. Just experiment with flavor. A jar like this in your pantry saves time when making tasty and nutritious dishes. Curry paste has the power to turn your regular meals into something unique. You can simmer a curry, spice a soup, or experiment with marinades and dips.
