Forget about Pad Thai; Thailand’s best food choice is Khao Soi (Cow Soy), one of the Lanna people’s claim to fame is the origination of this savory dish, in the upper most regions of Thailand. Though in actuality, both Laos and Myanmar have similar dishes and also assert that they are the cradle of life for this divine creation. No matter its origins, this recipe deserves a spot on your dinner table, so give it a try!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 Persons
*You will need a mortar or food processor for this recipe, as well as a wok or sauce pan*
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. of red curry paste, 2 tbsp. ginger (will be pounded), 1/4 of 1 white onion (diced), 2 tsp. of yellow curry powder, 2 chicken drum sticks (or 2 small breasts cut into bite size pieces), 2 cups of coconut milk, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1/4 tsp of salt, 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 2 tbsp of cooking oil, 1/2 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp of thick soy sauce, 2.5 cups of fresh egg noodles or “flat yellow noodles”, 1 cup of palm oil (for deep frying 1/2 cup of the noodles), 1 lime. (If you can’t get fresh ba mii “egg noodles”, then you will need to buy deep fried egg noodle toppings; you won’t be able to make them from the dehydrated noodle state)
Condiments: 1 lime (cut into wedges), 1/4 cup of pickled mustard, 2 tbsp of spring onion and cilantro (finely chopped), pickled onion
Thai egg noodle
Procedure: In a mortar, pound the ginger and onion into a paste, then add red curry and yellow curry; pound until thoroughly mixed. (or add all ingredients in a food processor). In the wok or large sauce pan, add the cooking oil on low heat; Stir-fry your paste mixture until fragrant, adding the coconut milk a little at a time. Then add the chicken and stir well into the mixture. Move to pot and add the chicken stock. When it comes to a boil, add the soy sauce, thick soy sauce, salt, and sugar; stir well. Cover, then put on reduced heat. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked but tender.
While the sauce is cooking, heat 1 cup of palm oil in a large sauce pan, medium heat. Deep fry the raw egg noodles, about 1/2 to 1 cup, until golden brown and puffy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Boil the remaining noodles in a pot for 2-3 minutes. Drain and place in your serving bowls. Then spoon the chicken curry sauce over the top of the noodles. Garnish with deep fried noodles, spring onion, cilantro, and pickled onions. Add the condiments to your own taste preference. ENJOY!!
MAKE YOUR OWN RED CURRY SAUCE:
Ingredients: 3-5 Big Red Thai Chilis “Phrik haeng med yai” (depending on level of spiciness desired), 10 cloves of garlic, 1/2 cup of shallots or diced onion, 2 tsp of coriander seeds, 1/4 tsp of cumin seeds, 3 cm/slices of ginger off the ginger root, 1/2 tsp of shrimp paste, 2 tbsp of lemon grass, 1 tsp of Galangal, 1 cm slice of Tumeric from Tumeric root, 2 tsp of yellow curry powder, 2 tsp of coriander/cilantro roots (chopped).
Procedure: Roast the coriander and cumin seeds in a frying pan on low heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Then combine the remaining ingredients in a mortar or food processor until its a paste.