Thai Tom Yum Pork Stir-fry

cover1This is a twist on the famous Thai Tom Yum Soup. If you love the fresh and vibrant flavors of Thai Tom Yum Soup and want an alternative to it, give this Tom Yum Pork Stir-Fry recipe a try! The classic sour, sweet and spicy flavors of Thai Tom Yum are unmistakable in this quick and easy stir-fry.

Serve 3 to 4

  • 400g                              Pork loin, thinly sliced to bite size
  • 2+2 tablespoons          Tom Yum Paste (click here for homemade Tom Yum Paste)
  • 2 tablespoons               Cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon                   caster sugar
  • 1 tablespoon                fish sauce
  • 50g                                 mushroom, sliced
  • ½ red bell pepper, cut into bite pieces
  • ½ onion or 2-3 shallots, cut into bite pieces
  • 4-5 Lime leaves
  • Salt to tasteIMG_6353

Method

  1. Add 2 tablespoon of Thai Tom Yum paste, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce to the pork. Mix well. Make sure each slice of pork is well coated with paste and seasonings. Allow the pork to sit aside for about 20 minutes.IMG_6354
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in the frying pan, turn to medium heat. Add into 2 tablespoons of Tom Yum paste. Stir fry till aromatic. Add into marinated pork slices. Cook for about 4-5 minutes till pork slice turn pale but not 100% cooked.
  3. Push all the ingredients to the side of the frying Pann, making way for the rest of the ingredients of mushroom, onion slices and red bell pepper. Stir fry the added veggies for another 1 minutes, then combine them with the pork until pork is well cooked.IMG_6357
  4. Finally, stir in lime leaves. Taste and add salt if needed. Give the dish one last stir to combine all the ingredients. Turn off the heat, then transfer the dish to a serving plate.IMG_6358

 

Tom Yum Paste

coverThe taste of Tom Yum is based on sour and spicy flavors. Tom Yum paste is meant to be the flavoring for Tom Yum soup, but it is also simply delicious as a marinade. It works wonders with all types of pork, chicken and seafood as well as pork. Just slather on this flavor-popping paste, then either bake, pan-fry, or grill for a dish that sings with authentic Thai taste! The paste is easy to make—just whip it up in your mini food chopper or food processor. It’s healthier than store-bought Thai pastes or marinades and tastes ten times better.

Makes about 1 cup

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons Tamarind Juice
  • 15 to 20 dried red chili depending on your tolerance level of spiciness, softened in warm water
  • 3 to 5 fresh red bird chili
  • 3 stalks lemongrass, white parts only香茅, roughly cut
  • 5 small shallots or 2-3 big ones, peeled小红葱头
  • 1 big thumb of galangal
  • 5 kaffir lime leaves or 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or 2 tablespoons fish sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried shrimp, soaked in the water to soften
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup waterIMG_6343

Method

  1. Place all the ingredients into a food processor, blender or chopper. Add 1/3 to ½ cup of water to help the machine running. Blender till the mixture becomes paste. The paste does not have to be very smooth. Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until ready to use.

 Tips for Using Tom Yum Paste

  • This paste is excellent over fish fillets or steaks, shrimp and other shellfish, or chicken or pork pieces before grilling. With fish and seafood, there is no need to marinate (the lime juice will actually begin to cook the fish and seafood)—just slather the paste over and cook right away.
  • If cooking for two, use only half the paste as a marinade and save the rest to make a delicious side sauce. Place half the paste in a small saucepan. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons coconut milk or coconut cream. Stir as you bring the sauce to a light simmer (avoid boiling, or you will lose the fresh flavor of this sauce). Drizzle over your entree, or serve on the side. Equally delicious over rice or new potatoes.
  • To use this paste for soup, bring a pot of good-quality chicken stock to a boil. Add spice paste a few tablespoons at a time, taste-testing as you go, until you’re happy with the flavor and spice level. Add more fish sauce instead of salt as needed. Add shrimp or tofu, plus desired vegetables. Coconut milk can be added for a creamier soup.

 

 

 

Chicken with Bell Peppers意式炖鸡

coverThis colourful one-pot dinner dish is warm and very comforting. And you may have all the ingredients on hand already.

Serves 4

  • 1.2 kg (about 2.5lb) chicken or 900gram chicken thigh, cut into serving pieces
  • Salt and Black Pepper
  • 4 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 120ml or (1/4 cup) white wine
  • 2 large bells, red, yellow or green, sliced into small strips
  • 2 big tomatoes or equivalent cherry tomatoes, fresh or canned, chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon, dried parsley or use 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, roughly chopped

 Method

  1. Clean the chicken under running water. Pat dry with kitchen towel. Cut the chicken/chicken thigh into serving pieces. Season the chicken with salt ground black pepper.
  2. Heat half of the oil in a large heavy pan or casserole. Add the onions and cook over low heat until soft. Transfer to a side dish.
  3. Add the remaining oil to the pan and increase the heat to medium. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes to brown both sides. Return the onions to the pan, then add chopped garlic.
  4. Pour in the wine and cook until it has reduced by half. Add the pepper strips and stir well to coat. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Stir in chopped tomatoes. IMG_6270
  5. Lower the heat, cover the pan and cook for about 25-30 minutes. Stirring occasionally until the peppers have softened and chicken is cooked. Season with salt to taste.
  6. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

 

Mixed Green Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese and Walnuts

coverIt’s beautiful, healthy, easy to make, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Serves 3-4,

  • 200g              store-bought pre-washed mixed greens
  • 1 Gala or Fuji apple or any red, mild and sweet apples, core removed, unpeeled, and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons                Walnuts, crumbled, toasted (optional)
  • 10g               goat cheese   crumbled

For the dressing

  • 1/2 tablespoon   white wine vinegar白葡萄酒醋
  • 1/2 tablespoon      balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon      lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon      honey
  • 1 teaspoon        dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon      olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper for seasoningIMG_5818

Method

  1. Thinly sliced unpeeled apple. Toss with the mixed greens, walnuts and goat cheese in a large salad bowl.
  2. To make the dressing, use a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients.
  3. Pour the dressing in the salad bowl and mix well right before serving.

Tips

  1. You can always pre-make the salad dressing and leave it in the fridge for up to 1 week.