Thai Basil Shrimp
Thai Basil Shrimp is a sumptuous dish that shouldn't be missed by any ardent Thai lover, and a perfect introduction to authentic Thai street food.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 2 persons
Ingredients
- For the Sauce:
- 4garlic cloves (minced)
- 3spring onions (sliced)
- 1to 2 pieces galangal (thumb-size or ginger, matchsticks or grated)
- 1to 2 fresh red chilies, sliced, to taste
- 6to 8 makrut lime leaves , snipped into strips with scissors
- 2tablespoons fish sauce
- 2tablespoons lime juice
- 2tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2tablespoons soy sauce (regular)
- 1teaspoon soy sauce (dark or substitute 1/2 tablespoon regular soy sauce)
- 1to 2 teaspoon sugar (brown)
- For the Shrimp:
- 15to 18 shrimp (medium to large, shells removed, tails may be left on)
- 2bell peppers (1 red, 1 green, chopped into bite-size strips)
- 1onion (small chopped or cut into thin wedges)
- 1cup basil (fresh lightly pressed down)
- 1to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1to 2 tablespoons of wine (white or white cooking wine )
- ¼cup coconut milk
- Optional Garnish : eggs (1 per person)
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
Cut the stem portion from the lime leaves to remove and discard.Step 3
Place the lime leaves along with all other sauce ingredients in a food processor or chopper. Process well to form an aromatic paste. Taste-test for sweetness/sour balance, adding more sugar to taste (you will adjust the other flavors later). Set aside.Step 4
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons white wine as you go.Step 5
Add the shrimp , stir-fry sauce and extra tablespoon of oil, if needed. Stir-fry 3 minutes, until shrimp are pink and plump.Step 6
Turn down heat to low and fold in 1/3 cup chopped basil. Add the coconut milk a little at a time, taste-testing as you go (some people like this dish with coconut milk, and others prefer the more potent version without).Step 7
Taste-test for salt and spice, adding more fish sauce if not flavorful or salty enough, or more lime juice if too salty. Add more coconut milk if too spicy.Step 8
To serve it the way they do in Thailand, simply fry an egg in a little vegetable oil and lightly salt it.Step 9
Tilt shrimp onto the plate. Add a generous topping of chopped fresh basil , and serve with Thai jasmine rice , topped with the fried eggs, if using. Often this dish is also accompanied with cucumber slices.