Green Thai Curry with Vegetables and Rice

Green curry, or kaeng khiao wan, is actually considered one of the spiciest dishes in Thai cuisine, even though its name means "sweet green." The color and freshness come from green chilies, lemongrass, coriander, and kaffir lime, which are ground into a vibrant paste. When the coconut milk is allowed to simmer with the paste, that characteristic aroma fills the entire kitchen. Here, it's packed with crisp vegetables and served with jasmine rice, which soaks up the aromatic sauce.

• Cuisine: Thai
• Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4 people
• Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start by cooking the jasmine rice so it's ready when the curry is finished.
2. Separate the thick, firm cream from the top of the coconut milk can and let it bubble in a pot over medium heat until the oil separates.
3. Stir the green curry paste into the bubbling coconut cream and sauté for a couple of minutes until the aroma develops – this is where the flavor awakens.
4. Add the remaining coconut milk and a little water, and let the sauce simmer.
5. Add chicken strips or tofu and let it cook until tender over low heat.
6. Add the vegetables according to their cooking time – bamboo shoots and bell pepper first, then more delicate ones like snow peas and Thai basil last.
7. Season with fish sauce, a pinch of palm sugar, and a squeeze of fresh lime until the balance of salty, sweet, and fresh is just right.
8. Serve the curry in deep bowls with jasmine rice and a sprinkle of fresh Thai basil leaves.

Tips

• Green curry should be fresher and more herbaceous than red, so limit cooking time and let the vegetables retain a slight bite and color.
• Choose vegetables with varying textures – e.g., broccoli, bamboo shoots, peas, and bell pepper – to give the dish both crunch and variety.
• The dish can easily be made completely vegetarian: use firm tofu instead of meat, and substitute light soy sauce for fish sauce.
• Always sauté the curry paste in fat before adding liquid; if you skip this step, the flavor will be flat.