Friday, December 27, 2013

Kosher Thai Curry Paste

It turns out that Thai curry paste traditionally contains shrimp paste, so it's pretty much a no-go for us Yids. I looked but have not yet located any certified versions, and I have a pretty wide array of kosher products available to me at the many kosher stores here in Teaneck. The following is my own version, and it's spicy and mouthwateringly savory. It calls to mind all the Thai flavors (except basil, that goes in later as cooking finishes), and works well as a marinade, as a curry starter or as a sauce. A mortar and pestle or a spice grinder is ideal for mashing all the ingredients together, but that takes elbow grease; the small bowl attachment of a food processor works well also.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup shallots, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 thumb-size piece of fresh ginger, peeled, small dice
3/4 tsp dried ground tumeric (or fresh, if you can find it!)
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
3/4 inch piece of lemongrass stalk, small dice
1/2 to 3/4 tsp dried chili flakes (I used one small dried red chili)
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground bay leaves or 2 kefir lime leaves (optional -- one can also place a bay leave in the curry itself when cooking)
1-2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp brown sugar
1-2 tbsp soy sauce
2-4 tbsp coconut milk
1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)

Combine dry ingredients and mash. Add liquids sparingly and process until smooth. Use as a marinade or in recipes. Thai chicken curry recipe to follow.

4 comments:

  1. Wow. Thank you for posting this recipe! I was wondering why I could never find a kosher version of the paste, but I guess the shellfish issue clears that right up.

    I can't wait to make this and try making a beef or chicken recipe! Looking forward to the Thai curry that you're making!

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  2. What can you replace the coconut milk with? We can't use it due to allergies.

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  3. wow, i've been looking for a recipe like this for a while. oddly enough though, i found some when i was in israel recently - they sell it in the shuk in jerusalem, under the london beit din! -Rebecca

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  4. I found a kosher Indian curry sauce that is OU called Seeds of Change. I found it at Whole Foods. The medium and hot versions are parve. The mild version is dairy. I haven't tried them yet, but they look good.

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