Skip to main content

Join The Table to earn rewards.

Already a member?

I made a thai coconut curry dish tonight - chicken, veggies, coconut milk, fish sauce and some red curry paste. It came out well, but bland. How can I spice it up some? What's the magic ingredient to give it the spicy kick you get in Thai restaurants? Basil? THANKS!

dr98
  • Posted by: dr98
  • January 7, 2011
  • 4585 views
  • 8 Comments

8 Comments

Order By
Threads
dr98
dr98January 9, 2011
Thanks, everyone!
Kayb
KaybJanuary 8, 2011
It's a different spice note, but I find sriracha is always a good addition to Thai curry.
aqua
aquaJanuary 8, 2011
if you blanch your vegetables and chicken beforehand and put in the curry last minute your curry will be less blend because all the ingredients still have there naturel taste. I always finish with tasting and then adding dried chiliflakes, fishsause and sugar till it tastes right.
Sadassa_Ulna
Sadassa_UlnaJanuary 8, 2011
Lime comes to my mind, and maybe the Thai basil or cilantro?
nutcakes
nutcakesJanuary 8, 2011
Use a good chile paste like Mae Ploy brand.
katiebakes
katiebakesJanuary 8, 2011
Here's what I do: saute garlic, minced fresh ginger, and onion in toasted sesame oil and canola oil until onions are soft. Add 2 tbsp. red curry paste for a medium curry stirring constantly for about a minute. I then add in tamari or soy sauce, mirin, and chili garlic sauce. You can then follow up with your coconut milk, chicken, veggies, etc. The basil doesn't add any kick, just a light flavor. I have found that letting a curry simmer for 30 minutes brings out its flavor. You may need to add a dash or two of sugar to mellow the flavors.
gingerroot
gingerrootJanuary 8, 2011
I agree with healthierkitchen - the spice comes from the curry paste. If adding more does not work, you can make your own with your own selection of chiles. That should kick up the spice. I also think that you need enough salt (fish sauce in this case) and acid (squeeze of lime and/or kaffir lime leaves) to balance the flavor of the curry.
healthierkitchen
healthierkitchenJanuary 8, 2011
while thai basil and/or lemongrass might add another flavor the kick should come from the curry paste. You might want to experiment with adding more of that to the mix, a little at a time.
Showing 8 out of 8 Comments
Recommended by Food52

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.

When you visit our website, we collect and use personal information about you using cookies. You may opt out of selling, sharing, or disclosure of personal data for targeted advertising (called "Do Not Sell or Share" in California) by enabling the Global Privacy Control on a compatible browser. See our Privacy Policy for further information.