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My family and I have always connected over Thai food. The booths at our favorite Thai restaurant in Atlanta became our second dining room. Whenever friends or family would come to visit, we’d take them there. Whenever someone claimed to have never tried Thai food, we’d take them straight there. Even now, when I visit, we go there.
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I remember as a kid being in love with the strong flavors, bright colors, thrilling spiciness, and freshness of my meal. I also loved that it seemed so exotic and unique compared to the soul food and everyday meals my family cooked. In each booth of the restaurant there was a framed photograph of some beautiful scene in Thailand: a colorful market full of fruits and veggies, a jungle waterfall, a rice field surrounded by hills. The images along with the food would transport me to a tropical paradise.
One year I had the idea to make a Thai inspired dinner for Thanksgiving. I was probably 12. My family completely indulged me by taking me grocery shopping and helping me cook. It was raining like crazy that day, so we grilled one of the dishes––a Thai chicken satay–– in the garage––with the doors open, of course. Rain pouring down, cold air swirling around, nothing could stop me from making that meal. I remember being upset that my Nana had also prepared some traditional American Thanksgiving staples like collard greens and rolls. But the whole thing came together, and I felt so proud.
In 2011 I went on a 2 month solo trip to Thailand. There I learned how to make Thai curries––which are very labor intensive, and use ingredients that are difficult to find in most parts of the US––and other Thai staples. I ate street food in Bangkok, made dinner with ingredients I’d help harvest at permaculture farms, and took a cooking class in every town I visited. I was in heaven!
Since then I’ve been trying to recreate those flavors of Thailand in my own kitchen because it reminds me of my family, and my trip to Thailand too. This Thai-inspired Green Curry is one of my favorite meals to make. I use a store-bought curry paste, Thai eggplants (which are in season where I live in the summer), Thai basil (which you can grow yourself), broccoli, bamboo shoots, crispy tofu, and I serve it over white Jasmine rice. Every bite reminds me of eating Thai food around the table with my family.
Believe it or not, my 18-month-old daughter is also a fan! I avoid adding more Thai chili when I plan to serve it to her, so that the spice stays mild. I mince all of the ingredients, and serve it over Instant Pot brown rice or coconut Jasmine Rice which is perfectly tender and fluffy, and great for a toddler with lots of teeth. It makes me happy to know that my daughter also loves Thai food as much as I do. I haven’t taken her to a restaurant for the real thing yet, but once she’s older I know we’ll make it a part of our family tradition, just like it was in mine.
More Thai-Inspired Vegan Recipes
Main Dishes
Thai Pumpkin Curry
Main Dishes
Thai-Style Sweet Potato Noodles
Salads & Bowls
Amazing Edamame Salad
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Vegan Thai Green Curry
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Ingredients
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 block extra firm tofu, pressed at least 20 minutes
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
- 3-4 tbsp Thai green curry paste
- 3-4 Thai eggplant, quartered
- ½ lb green beans, about 1 large handful, ends trimmed, and halved
- ½ cup bamboo shoots
- 14- oz can full fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp sugar, optional
- 1 broccoli crown, chopped
- ¼ cup Thai basil
- 1-2 tbsp soy sauce, Tamari Soy Sauce is gluten-free
- 1 fresh lime
- 1 cup white rice, or brown rice
Instructions
- Follow the package instructions to make the rice stove-top or make brown rice in the Instant Pot.
Crispy Baked Tofu
- Make sure you’ve pressed it at least 20 minutes before cooking. To press, simply wrap the tofu in a paper towel, place on a plate with high sides (so the water doesn’t drip over), and place something heavy on top. I usually use a baking dish topped with cookbooks.
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- Cut the tofu into small cubes, then toss with about 1 tbsp of coconut oil.
- Spread them evenly over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Thai Curry
- Warm 1 tbsp of coconut oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shallot, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until the shallots have become tender.
- Add the curry paste, and stir for about 15 seconds.
- Add the eggplant and green beans, and cook for another minute or so.
- Add the bamboo shoots, followed by the coconut milk, and stir.
- Bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes, or until the eggplant is fairly tender, but not completely cooked.
- Stir in sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Then add the broccoli, and cook for another 10 minutes until it is tender but still bright, and the other veggies are also tender.
- Stir in the Thai basil leaves, soy sauce, and juice of 1 lime.
- Season to taste with more soy sauce if needed.
- Top with the crispy tofu, and serve over rice.
- Garnish with more Thai basil and a slice of lime.
Notes
- Press the tofu while you prep and measure the other ingredients.
- Start the rice before cooking the curry so it is finished cooking when the curry is.
- If you have a wok, use it for this Thai curry.
- You can make Crispy Tofu in the Air Fryer instead of the oven.
- Not all curry pastes are the same. I like MaePloy, Aroy, and Bright. Find these at an Asian or International grocery store.
Nutrition
Versatile recipe as I completely changed the veggies. I served with the air fryer tofu (well, what was left of it by the time the curry was done) and brown rice.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing 🙂
A cozy Thai-inspired curry that’s easy to make at home. I learned how to make curry while living in Thailand for 2 months, and I channeled those learnings into this recipe 🙂
I can’t wait to try this. You always have the best recipes! I have a strong suggestion for you, though…buy a tofu press. It will make such a change in your preparation (not to mention saving a tree). There are many different kinds out there and I’m sure they all do the trick. Give one a try!
Excellent!! Will try it for sure.