Steamy Kitchen Recipes » Thai Recipes

Chicken Satay

SteamyKitchen — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:44:21 +0000

Another installment of food on a stick, thanks to inspiration from buddies Matt & Adam and their book titled…uh…On a Stick…which is always more fun to eat than food on a fork. Plus you get to play sword fight with the sticks after you eat (you do that too, right!???)

Grilled Chicken Satay is super easy to make – 1 bowl, 1 knife and 1 cutting board. Oh, and don’t forget the sticks too.

Instead of making a peanut dipping sauce, I decided to include the sauce flavor in the marinade and top with chopped peanuts. So imagine this: salty (peanut, soy sauce), sweet (brown sugar), garlicky and gingery, crunchy and a hit of tang (rice vinegar). You can also include a spoonful of hot chili sauce if you’d like.

How to make Chicken Satay

The ingredients for the chicken satay marinade are

If you’ve never used rice vinegar before, it’s one of my must-have pantry items for Asian foods. Look for “rice vinegar” on the label – it’s easy to confuse it with “rice wine,” but they are very different products. One is a tangy vinegar, and the other is cooking wine.

There are two kinds of rice vinegar: regular and seasoned (or sweetened). You can use either in this recipe, but I prefer the regular, since we’re using brown sugar in the marinade. You’ll have to read the label carefully or just look for the color differences on the label. Mitsukan (a client of moi) uses BLUE for unsweetened or regular rice vinegar and RED for sweetened or seasoned.

And as for the peanut butter – chunky or smooth, it’s up to you! I’m a chunky gal myself. And I don’t mean the size of my thighs.

Start by slicing your chicken into long, thin strips. You can use either chicken breast or thighs (I prefer dark meat, but it’s totally up to you!). Try to get the chicken strips all similar in thickness (uh, actually thinness) so that they’ll cook evenly. See how thin I like to slice?

If they’re not quite thin enough, smash ‘em with your chef’s knife. Lay your chef’s knife flat on the chicken and use the heel of your hand to pound the strip flat.

Mix your marinade and let the chicken marinate from 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator.

While the chicken is marinating, soak the bamboo skewers in water to prevent burning. If bamboo sticks burn, they’ll break. Then you’ll have food on a broken stick.

Just before you’re ready to cook the chicken satay, you’ll thread the strips on bamboo skewers just like this:

Continue reading Chicken Satay...

©Steamy Kitchen Recipes, 2011. | Permalink | 33 comments

Thai Iced Coffee

SteamyKitchen — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:05:49 +0000

My days are numbered on this blog, where I can write posts that pertain to my wild college days, specifically the times that I’d skip class, bribed a professor with food, rode a motorcycle and partied as much as I could. I say that my days are numbered because two certain little boys are learning how to read, and my youngest, Nathan, is reading at a pace far greater than for his age.

Like any good mom, I’ve been telling the boys that school is fun, homework is important and a solid education is the key to eternal happiness. At some point, the boys are going to start reading Steamy Kitchen and I won’t be able to write about stuff like the late-night motorcycle runs on Sunset Boulevard to our favorite Thai restaurant hang-outs.

Flaming hot curry, barbecue chicken and Thai iced coffee were our must-orders. What makes this iced coffee so different from anything you’ve had before is the infusion of cardamom into the half and half.

Thai Iced Coffee Recipe

Servings: serves 4 Prep Time: 5 Cook Time: 15

When making Thai Iced Coffee, I brew very strong coffee by doubling the amount of coffee grounds than I normally use. This makes sure that the iced coffee is perfectly balanced and not diluted. If you can't find whole cardamom pods, substitute with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom. Big thanks to Adam and Joanne for helping me with this recipe!

Ingredients:

4 cups double-strength brewed coffee
2 cups half-and-half or cream
3 tablespoons granulated sugar (add more to taste)
3 cardamom pods (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
ice

Directions:

1. The first step is to smash the cardamom pods to release its flavor and aroma. You can do this with your mortar & pestle - just gently tap the pods until the outer shell is cracked. If you don't have a mortar & pestle, place the pods on a cutting board and with a heavy chef's knife, use the bottom of the handle to smash the pod.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring half-and-half or cream, sugar and cardamom pods to a simmer, turn off the heat and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
Remove the cardamom pods then add the almond extract.

3. Fill 4 tall glasses to the brim with ice. Divide the flavored half-and-half or cream between each of the 4 glasses. Then slowly pour the coffee into each glass.

©Steamy Kitchen Recipes, 2011. | Permalink | 32 comments

10-Minute Thai Shrimp Curry

SteamyKitchen — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:44:32 +0000

My favorite shortcut dinner is Thai Curry, which I call my fast food at home. 10 Minutes is all it takes for me to get this from refrigerator to table. This is an easy recipe to customize — any sort of sliced vegetables will work here, from sliced zucchini, matchstick-cut carrots, tofu cubes (use firm tofu) and thin sliced eggplant.

If you’re not a fan of shrimp, substitute with thinly sliced chicken, pork or beef – just add a minute or so to cooking time to make sure your protein is cooked through.

No cooked jasmine rice handy? No problem — just serve over any type of noodles you want. My favorite is to make a soup-ier version of this recipe (add 2 cups chicken broth) and serve over transparent mung bean noodles that are naturally gluten free. You can see the noodles here on my Mussels with Lemongrass Coconut Curry Recipe (oh! a recipe from the past!)

How to cook 10-Minute Thai Shrimp Curry

Here’s what I used:

Fresh mushrooms: I love the meatiness of large King Trumpet mushrooms, but you can use fresh shiitake or even regular white mushrooms. By the way, there are quite a few mushroom recipes on Hokto’s site that I’ve developed for them…their mushrooms are organic and grown in California)

Thai curry: Comes in a can (like above), a plastic tub or envelope packet. If you buy a big tub of it, you can store unused portion in refrigerator for a few months. But I prefer to get the small cans.

Coconut milk: Which is not coco-loco (used for cocktails). Look in the Asian aisle of supermarket. If there are many different brands, shake the cans. The ones that sounds watery will be…well…watery and tasteless. Go for the cans that sounds like its full of thick liquid.

Shrimp: Tail on or off, up to you.

Vegetables: Bell peppers and fresh basil leaves (not pictured) – you can use Thai basil if you have, or just regular sweet basil is fine too.

Step 1: You’ll want to cook the curry paste just a bit, just to release the oils and the flavors. The amount of curry paste you use is totally up to you (and you can always add more in later after tasting the curry).

Step 2: Now pour in the coconut milk and whisk to incorporate the curry. This helps the curry paste break down and become smooth.

Step 3: add in the vegetables to cook for a couple of minutes. At this point, taste the curry, and if you want it more spicy, then whisk in additional curry paste.

Step 4: Now for the shrimp. cook until shrimp is cooked through.

Step 5: Throw in the basil leaves, stir and you’re done.

Serve over cooked rice.

10 minute Shrimp Curry Recipe

Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes

I've used meaty Japanese King Trumpet Mushrooms, but you can use any type of fresh mushrooms, from shiitake to white button mushrooms, sliced. Serve with cooked rice or Asian noodles (any type)

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon cooking oil
2 tablespoons red curry paste
12 ounces coconut milk
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
6 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (I used Japanese King Trumpet Mushrooms)
1/2 pound uncooked, peeled shrimp
8 fresh basil leaves (optional)
cooked rice, to serve

Directions:

Heat a skillet over medium high heat, once hot add in the cooking oil and red curry paste. Whisk for about 30 seconds. Pour in the coconut milk and continue whisking. Add in the mushrooms and the red peppers and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Add the shrimp to the curry and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the basil and serve over cooked rice.

©Steamy Kitchen Recipes, 2011. | Permalink | 36 comments

10-Minute Shrimp and Mushroom Thai Curry

SteamyKitchen — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:17:55 +0000

When all else fails, there’s always curry to fall back on. Despite all the beautiful food you see on this blog, I do have my share of kitchen disasters (that blob of charcoal was supposed to be fried chicken).

Thai curry is my “break in case of emergency” meal – as I always have a can of coconut milk, a can of curry paste, shrimp in the freezer and miscellaneous vegetables in the refrigerator. Rice is only a one-finger trigger button away or already cooked, stored in the freezer.

Here’s what I used:

Shrimp: Tail on or off, up to you.

Vegetables: Bell peppers and fresh basil leaves (not pictured) – you can use Thai basil if you have, or just regular sweet basil is fine too.

Step 2: Now pour in the coconut milk and whisk to incorporate the curry. This helps the curry paste break down and become smooth.

Step 3: add in the vegetables to cook for a couple of minutes. At this point, taste the curry, and if you want it more spicy, then whisk in additional curry paste.

Step 4: Now for the shrimp. cook until shrimp is cooked through.

Step 5: Throw in the basil leaves, stir and you’re done.

Serve over cooked rice.

Thai Shrimp Curry

Servings: 4 Prep Time: 4 Cook Time: 6

The amount of curry paste you use is totally up to you. I've used 2 tablespoons, which is about medium spice level. You can always add more curry paste after tasting, so it's best to start with a little bit and work your way up. If you're cooking rice, make extra and freeze for next time.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon cooking oil
2 tablespoons red curry paste (or more)
12 ounces coconut milk
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
8 ounces fresh mushrooms (I used King Trumpet mushrooms)
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
16 basil leaves (optional)
Cooked rice

Directions:

Heat a skillet over medium high heat, once hot add in the cooking oil and red curry paste. Whisk for about 30 seconds. Pour in the coconut milk and whisk to combine. When it comes to a simmer, add in the mushrooms and the red peppers and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Taste and whisk in additional curry paste if you want. Add the shrimp to the curry and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the shrimp is cooked through. Stir in the basil and serve over rice.

©Steamy Kitchen Recipes, 2010. | Permalink | 79 comments

Thai Basil Chicken with Cashew

SteamyKitchen — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:08:15 +0000

A little over a year ago, I met Chef Martin Yan for the first time at a Publix Aprons event. I was so girly-giddy that I breathlessly told him that he was my “culinary superhero.”

And if that didn’t scream, “freaky-fan-stalker!” then maybe he got a clue when I got a little so close trying to videotape Yan carving a chicken in 15 seconds that I almost got my bangs thwacked off. But nope, because that same evening, when I mentioned I was writing a cookbook, he actually said, “Send me a copy to review, I’ll write a quote for the back of the book.”

There was a chance that Chef Yan was just sayin’ that to be nice. I mean, he’s a celebrity chef who meets hundreds of people every day, he couldn’t possibly have remembered what he said to whom? So, two months ago, when my book was complete, I prayed that he really, really meant what he said and sent him a copy of the book galley with a kind note.

He remembered. And Martin graciously penned, “Jaden Hair delivers beautiful, simple and delicious food that will bring famly and friends to your table. She is the real deal who learned from the best, her mom. – Martin Yan.”

My publisher slapped that endorsement on the back cover of the book…and then I nearly fainted. The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook hits the shelves in mid-October, and I think the moment I see the real book at a real bookstore, I’m going to personally kiss the back of each book, right where Martin’s quote is.

A couple of weeks ago, Martin came back to town for a class…of course I attended and I gave Martin a big hug and thanked him profusely, freaky-fan-stalker style.

===

Martin Yan China Cookbook Giveaway

Martin Yan’s sponsor, Tsingtao Beer has kindly given me two autographed books to give away. CONTEST OVER…WINNER ANNOUNCED!

He wanted to send a little message to you, as he autographed these two books:

I’ll randomly choose 2 winners on July 31st. Just comment below with a nice little note for Martin Yan! What do you want to say to him? I promise he’ll read it.

CONTEST OVER…WINNER ANNOUNCED!

===

If Yan Can…

carve a chicken in 19 seconds…SO CAN YOU!

This is the second time I’ve seen him do this – just simply amazing. Hear that camera-clicking? That’s me, multi-tasking. Camcorder in left hand, heavy camera in right hand. Hold still….don’t get too close to that cleaver!

***

Thai Basil Chicken with Cashews Recipe

Servings: 4 Prep Time: Cook Time:

What I love about this recipe is that it's super quick and simple to make. What takes the most time in this recipe is cutting up the chicken! Really, it's that simple. Yes, if Yan Can Cook, So Can You!

For Gluten-free version, use Panda Brand Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce in green bottle (though please double-ck label), San-J wheat free tamari in place of soy sauce and GF beer.

Recipe from Martin Yan

Ingredients:

Marinade
2 tablespoons lager-style beer, like Tsingtao
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper (or black pepper)
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubesSauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lager-style beer, like Tsingtao
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce (or add an additional 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce)
1/4 teaspoon sugar2 tablespoons vegetable, canola or peanut oil
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
4 ounces asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 teaspoons water
1 fresh jalapeno chili, thinly sliced into rings (optional)
1/4 cup lightly packed Thai basil or sweet basil leaves.
1/2 cup roasted cashews

Directions:

1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes.

2. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

3. Place a wok or wide saute pan over high heat until hot. Add the oil, swirling to coat the sides. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the chicken and asparagus and cook, stirring constantly until the chicken is no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Add the sauce and bring to boil. Add the cornstarch solution and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and stir in jalapeno chili, basil leaves and cashews.

Thai Chicken Coconut Soup (Tom Ka Gai)

SteamyKitchen — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:26:06 +0000

So a couple of weeks ago I was chatting online with one of my friends who has a food blog but doesn’t go by her real name so that she can hide her real identity. Because you know, food blogging is so much sexier when you’re STEALTH blogging. She said some people, herself included is freaked out about their names being revealed for fear that their real names show up in Google search engines.

I’ve never been shy about talking about my life or my family…and I really don’t care to blur out my face nor do I put a black bar over my eyes like they do in back of magazines to show fashion DON’Ts. My kids get no cutesy, clever nicknames. Who knows if one day this whole blog will blow up in my face! I’m sure some of the things I’ve posted about my kids that are cute-ha-ha-funny will someday be cha-ching! for the therapist. Better set aside some money now. Seriously. But that’s just who I am. Loud, brash and confessional.

This is why I love blogs and books that aren’t bashful about opening their front door and welcoming us in with open arms. When I was in Los Angeles last year, I stopped by the soon-to-be-closed (sniff sniff) The Cook’s Library Bookstore where I picked up a copy of Tessa Kiros’ Apples For Jam, A Colorful Cookbook fully intending it to be a gift for a friend, but after an afternoon alone with the cookbook, I decided to keep it for myself and bought her a bag of donuts instead. What a good friend I am. (WHAAAT? Hey, at least I didn’t arrive empty-handed!)

Tessa’s publisher, Andrew McMeel sent me a copy of her latest book, Falling Cloudberries, A World of Family Recipes which is part of Gourmet’s Cookbook Club. Tessa Kiro was born in London to a Finnish mother and Greek father, has lived in South Africa and worked as chef in Sydney, Athens, Mexico and London. Her life of global travels inspired this book with nearly 400 pages of recipes, stories and stunning color photographs (170 recipes, 185 color photos).

I wanted to share a recipe with you from her Falling Cloudberries book – Tom Ka Gai Soup, or Thai Chicken Coconut Soup. I’m sure you’ve had this soup before if you’re a fan of Thai food. The Tom Ka Gai soup is warm, tingly and creamy.
Continue reading Thai Chicken Coconut Soup (Tom Ka Gai)...

Thai Curry Beef Skewers + Guest Writer for Martha Stewart

SteamyKitchen — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:17:59 +0000

I’m a guest writer over at Martha Stewart Everyday Food! Have you been to their website? They’ve got thousands of recipes, all of them simple and perfect for dinner tonight.

My kids made Thai Curry Beef Skewers and Grilled Banana with Dark Chocolate for them. Come on over to Martha Stewart Everyday Food’s website and take a look. The recipe for the MUST MAKE dessert inspired by the lovely Andreaa is over there.

I love it when my two young sons — 3 years old and 5 years old — help me in the kitchen. It’s good to nurture an interest in responsible nutrition and teach them correct food pairings, like how super-thin, shatter-crisp Lay’s potato chips are much better stacked between a hamburger bun and patty than something big and smushy like a chocolate Ho-Ho.
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Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing + Menu For Hope

SteamyKitchen — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:21:56 +0000

Because I live in one of the hottest states in the United States, and by “hot” I mean the moment you step outside, the crease in the back of your knees sweat as fast as spinach in a fry pan. In the summer, I curse the humidity, especially when my friends back in San Francisco brag about having lunch alfresco on happy-sunshiney-afternoons. But then along comes December, and guess what. I am still growing tomatoes, gardening in shorts and a tank top in almost 80F degree weather. Love it.

Na na na na boo boo!

In October, I bought a few Earthboxes - and began growing 3 tomato plants, lettuce, herbs, cauliflower, peppers and broccoli. The tomatoes took off like like a dog in heat and within weeks grew to 3 ft tall with a gazillion flowers. That’s the beauty of the Earthboxes…low maintenance…high productivity. Kinda like me, right Scott?!

Anyways, they grew so friggin’ fast that one day I came home to find all 3 tomato plants toppled over because the wire trellis couldn’t support the plants’ weight. One plant broke and therefore the 2 months of tomatoes which i had lovingly massaged, sang to and kissed, were left dangling helplessly on the stem. The other plants were ok, so today Scott built a massive wooden trellis system, about the size of a small bathroom just for them to “grow into.” I really should take a photo for you (next time).

18 small green tomatoes…perfect for Elise’s Fried Green Tomato recipe paired with my Sweet Chili Dressing and home-grown greens. These green babies are goin’ out in style.

I have another Earthbox just dedicated to different kinds of salad greens – our little family can’t keep up with all the lettuce we are producing. I’ve become a lettuce-pusher….presenting bags of lettuce and herbs to my friends every time I visit. This Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing was so satisfying that I have a feeling that many of the remaining tomatoes will be plucked before ripening. Panko breadcrumbs were a perfect breading – so incredibly light yet packs a massive crunch when fried…..continued….

Continue reading Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing + Menu For Hope...