5 Authentic Thai Recipes You Can Easily Make at Home: Perfect for Beginners!
Thai cuisine is famous for its harmonious blend of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors, captivating the taste buds of food lovers around the world. While Thai food may seem complex with its unique ingredients and techniques, it is surprisingly easy to recreate authentic Thai dishes in your own kitchen. In this article, we will introduce five authentic Thai recipes that are simple enough for beginners to try at home. These recipes will bring the vibrant flavors of Thailand right to your table.
目次
1. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
Overview
Tom Yum Goong is a signature Thai soup known for its hot and sour flavor, featuring shrimp as the main ingredient. This soup is aromatic with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, and is made rich with the addition of coconut milk. Despite its complex flavor profile, it’s quite simple to prepare at home.
Ingredients
- Shrimp (medium-sized): 200g
- Lemongrass: 2 stalks
- Kaffir lime leaves: 3 leaves
- Galangal: 5g
- Chili paste: 1 tablespoon
- Coconut milk: 100ml
- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Lime juice: 2 tablespoons
- Coriander: A handful
Instructions
- Slice the lemongrass and galangal, and tear the kaffir lime leaves into pieces.
- In a pot, bring water to a boil and add the lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.
- Add the shrimp, chili paste, coconut milk, and fish sauce, stirring well.
- Once the shrimp is cooked, adjust the flavor with lime juice.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander.
Tom Yum Goong’s unique combination of sour and spicy flavors, along with the rich shrimp broth, makes it a must-try dish for any Thai food enthusiast.
2. Pad Thai (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)
Overview
Pad Thai is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish with a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce. It’s versatile, allowing for various ingredients like shrimp, chicken, or tofu, and can be easily prepared at home.
Ingredients
- Rice noodles: 150g
- Shrimp: 100g
- Tamarind paste: 1 tablespoon
- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Crushed peanuts: 2 tablespoons
- Egg: 1
- Bean sprouts: 100g
- Chives: To taste
- Lime: 1/2
Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles in warm water until soft.
- Heat oil in a pan, and sauté the shrimp until cooked. Add tamarind paste and fish sauce.
- Add the soaked rice noodles and stir until coated with the sauce.
- Push the noodles to one side of the pan, crack the egg into the pan, and scramble it. Then mix everything together.
- Add bean sprouts and chives, stirring briefly. Serve with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.
Pad Thai offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors, with the tamarind sauce providing a unique sweet and sour taste that pairs perfectly with the tender rice noodles.
3. Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)
Overview
Green Curry is a creamy and spicy Thai curry made with green curry paste and coconut milk. It’s typically made with chicken, eggplant, and Thai basil, offering a rich and aromatic dish that’s easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
- Green curry paste: 2 tablespoons
- Chicken (thighs): 200g
- Eggplant: 1
- Coconut milk: 200ml
- Thai basil: A handful
- Palm sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté the green curry paste until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and stir until well coated with the paste.
- Pour in the coconut milk and simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add the sliced eggplant and continue to simmer until tender.
- Season with fish sauce and palm sugar, and stir in the Thai basil just before serving.
Green Curry is a staple in Thai cuisine, known for its balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. The coconut milk adds a creamy texture that tempers the heat of the curry, making it a comforting dish.
4. Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
Overview
Som Tam is a traditional Thai salad made with shredded green papaya. It’s a refreshing dish that combines the flavors of sweet, sour, and spicy, making it perfect for warm weather.
Ingredients
- Green papaya: 1/2
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Chili: 2
- Dried shrimp: 1 tablespoon
- Lime: 1
- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Crushed peanuts: 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Shred the green papaya into thin strips.
- In a mortar, lightly pound the garlic and chili.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded papaya, dried shrimp, pounded garlic, and chili.
- Add lime juice and fish sauce, and toss everything together.
- Top with crushed peanuts before serving.
Som Tam is a light and zesty salad that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare. It’s a great introduction to the balance of flavors that Thai cuisine is famous for.
5. Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Chicken)
Overview
Pad Kra Pao is a spicy Thai basil stir-fry, typically made with ground chicken. It’s a quick and easy dish that’s full of flavor, making it a popular choice for a simple, yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- Ground chicken: 200g
- Thai basil: 1 bunch
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Chili: 2
- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Fried egg: 1
- Steamed rice: To serve
Instructions
- Mince the garlic and chili.
- Heat oil in a pan, and sauté the garlic and chili until fragrant.
- Add the ground chicken and stir-fry until cooked through.
- Season with fish sauce and sugar, then add the Thai basil and stir just until wilted.
- Serve over steamed rice, topped with a fried egg.
Pad Kra Pao is a flavorful and aromatic dish, with the Thai basil adding a distinctive freshness. It’s a perfect choice for a quick and delicious meal at home.
Conclusion
These five authentic Thai recipes are not only easy to prepare but also bring the vibrant flavors of Thailand right into your home. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can enjoy a taste of Thailand anytime. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with family and friends, these dishes are sure to impress. Give these recipes a try and transform your kitchen into a Thai culinary adventure.
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