How to Make Delicious Panang Curry at Home

Are you a fan of Thai food? Do you love the bold, spicy flavors of curries? If so, why not try making your own panang curry at home? It may sound intimidating, but with a few simple steps, you can create a delicious and authentic dish to impress your friends and family. Here’s a guide on how to make panang curry that’s easy to follow and guarantees mouth-watering results.

Panang curry is a popular Thai dish known for its creamy texture and rich flavor. It gets its name from the city of Penang in Malaysia, where the recipe was created and later brought to Thailand. The dish is made with a blend of red curry paste, coconut milk, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices such as lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. Traditionally, panang curry is served with white rice and garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil. Now, let’s get started on how to make our own delicious panang curry right at home.

.

Ingredients Needed for Making Panang Curry

1. Panang Curry Paste

Panang curry is a type of Thai curry dish that offers a blend of herbs, spices, and flavors in a creamy coconut sauce. The first key ingredient you need for making panang curry is the curry paste. The paste provides the base flavor and aroma to the dish. You can either make homemade panang curry paste or purchase it from the grocery store.

If you’re making the paste at home, you’ll need ingredients like red chili peppers, garlic, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, cilantro, cumin, coriander, and shrimp paste. Grind all these ingredients into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle or a food processor. If you decide to buy store-bought curry paste, you can find it in the Asian food aisle of your local grocery store.

2. Coconut Milk

Another key ingredient for making panang curry is coconut milk. This ingredient adds richness and creaminess to the dish. You’ll need about two cans of coconut milk for the recipe. You can use either full-fat or low-fat coconut milk depending on your preference.

3. Meat or Tofu

Panang curry can be made with a variety of proteins such as chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. You’ll need about one pound of your chosen protein cut into bite-size pieces.

4. Vegetables

To make the dish more wholesome and nutritious, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, eggplants, or zucchini. These vegetables provide a crunch and color to the dish.

5. Fish Sauce

Fish sauce is a pungent and salty ingredient that adds umami flavor to the dish. You’ll need about 1-2 tablespoons of fish sauce for the recipe.

6. Palm Sugar

Palm sugar is a sweetener made from the sap of the palm tree. It has a subtle caramel flavor that balances the heat and saltiness of the dish. You’ll need about 1-2 tablespoons of palm sugar for the recipe.

7. Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaves are a fragrant and citrusy ingredient that adds a distinct flavor and aroma to the dish. You can find these leaves in the Asian food aisle of your local grocery store.

8. Thai Basil

Thai basil is a herb that adds a delicious aroma and freshness to the dish. You can use both the leaves and stems of the herb.

9. Fresh Limes

Limes are used as a garnish for the dish and add a tangy flavor that brightens the dish. You’ll need two to three limes cut into wedges for the recipe.

10. Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is a fragrant and fluffy rice that pairs perfectly with the panang curry dish. You’ll need about two cups of jasmine rice to serve alongside the panang curry for a complete and satisfying meal.

In conclusion, to make delicious panang curry at home, the key ingredients you’ll need are curry paste, coconut milk, protein, vegetables, fish sauce, palm sugar, kaffir lime leaves, Thai basil, limes, and jasmine rice. Experiment with the ingredients and spices to find the perfect balance of heat, salt, and sweetness that suits your taste buds.

Ingredients for Panang Curry

When it comes to making panang curry, the list of ingredients can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry! We’ll break it down for you, making it easy for you to find everything you need.

Protein:

Most Thai restaurants use chicken as the protein in their panang curry, but feel free to substitute it with beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Curry Paste:

Curry paste is what gives panang curry its distinct flavor. You can find pre-made curry paste in most Asian grocery stores, but if you want to make it from scratch, we recommend using a mortar and pestle for the best texture.

Coconut Milk:

Coconut milk is what creates the creamy, rich sauce in panang curry. Look for cans of coconut milk in the international section of your grocery store.

Vegetables:

Panang curry traditionally includes vegetables like red bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms for more color and nutrition.

Fish Sauce:

Fish sauce is a staple ingredient in many Thai dishes, including panang curry. It can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores and adds a salty, savory flavor to the dish.

Palm Sugar:

Palm sugar is a common sweetener in Thai cuisine and is used in panang curry to balance out the spiciness. You can find it in the Asian section of your grocery store or substitute it with brown sugar.

Kaffir Lime Leaves:

Kaffir lime leaves are an essential ingredient in Thai cooking, and their aromatic flavor is especially prominent in panang curry. You can find them in the produce section of most Asian grocery stores.

Thai Basil:

Thai basil is a flavorful herb that adds a fresh, herby taste to panang curry. You can find it in the produce section of most Asian grocery stores.

Lemongrass:

Lemongrass is a fragrant herb commonly used in Thai cuisine. It adds a lemony, citrusy flavor to panang curry. You can find it in the produce section of most Asian grocery stores.

Cilantro:

Cilantro is a popular herb used in Thai cooking and is often used as a garnish for panang curry. It adds a bright, fresh flavor and can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores.

Now that we’ve gone through the list of ingredients needed for panang curry, head to your local grocery store to stock up on everything you need! In the next section, we’ll go through the steps needed to make this delicious Thai dish from scratch.

Ingredients for Panang Curry

When it comes to making Panang Curry, there are some essential ingredients that you will need to have in your pantry. Here are the top five must-have ingredients.

1. Panang Curry Paste

The most crucial ingredient in Panang Curry is the curry paste. It can be found in any Asian grocery store or online. If you can’t find it, you can make your paste at home from scratch using various herbs and spices. However, store-bought curry paste saves time and effort.

2. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a staple ingredient in most Thai dishes, and Panang curry is no exception. It gives the curry its creamy and nutty flavor, which complements the spiciness of the curry paste. Ensure you opt for unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk as it provides the best texture.

3. Meat or Protein

Traditionally, Thai recipes include chicken, beef, or pork in Panang curry, although you can substitute with tofu or any plant-based protein. Each protein lends its unique flavor to the dish, so go with what you prefer.

4. Kaffir Lime Leaves

Kaffir lime leaves are fresh, aromatic, and citrusy, making them a crucial ingredient in Thai cuisine. They are used in most Thai dishes and provide a distinct, earthy flavor to Panang curry. You can usually find them in the Asian food store or online.

5. Vegetables

Although not a must-have ingredient, vegetables add an extra texture and nutritional value to the curry. Vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and onions bring some crunch and flavor to the dish.

Conclusion

These are the five must-have ingredients you need to make an authentic and delicious Panang curry. However, feel free to experiment with other ingredients like Thai basil, lemongrass, and ginger to create a more personalized flavor in your curry. Stay tuned for our next section on how to make the perfect Panang curry from scratch!

Time to Dig In!

And there you have it! A simple yet authentic recipe for making Thai Panang Curry to perk up your taste buds. We hope you enjoyed the step-by-step guide and feel inspired to try it out yourself. Don’t forget to purchase the ingredients and get started. Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and we look forward to having you visit us again soon for more fun and exciting recipes! Happy Cooking.