Basil Stir Fry - Pad Kra pow

Ingredients

• 5 Thai chile peppers

• 6 garlic cloves

• 3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola, divided

• 1 pound ground chicken, turkey, beef or pork

• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves 

• 4 eggs (optional)

• 8 cups prepared jasmine rice

Directions

1. Roughly chop Thai chilies and garlic before adding them to a mortar and pestle. Smash using an up and down motion with a pestle until combined (mixture doesn't have to be ground into a paste), about 1 minute.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in wok over high heat until shimmering. Add chili mixture and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. Add ground meat to wok, and stir-fry until meat turns opaque, about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar and cook until liquids evaporate.

5. Turn off heat, transfer chicken mixture to a large bowl and immediately stir in basil leaves.

6. Serve with rice or as a filling for lettuce wraps. I serving with rice you can optionally top with fried eggs quick fried in the wok.

7. Condiments: Sriracha, Oyster Sauce, sweet chili sauce, furikake 

Adapted from a Food and Wine Recipe

Urban Cowgill  July 2024