Thai Red Pork Curry

 

Thai Red Pork Curry

Servings: 4 Servings

 

Ingredients

·         1 each pork tenderloin roast cut into thin bite-sized strips

·         4 each garlic cloves minced

·         1 tbsp fresh galangal minced (substitution = 1 tbsp. ginger)

·         1 tsp cinnamon ground

·         1/4 tsp cloves ground

·         1/4 cup fresh red curry paste (substitution = 2 tbsp store bought)

·         2 tbsp coconut oil

·         1 large japanese eggplant cut into cubes

·         1 small red bell pepper seeded and diced

·         1 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk

·         16 leaves thai basil hand torn (substitution = regular basil)

·         salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1.                   In a large bowl, mix together your pork, garlic, galangal, cinnamon, cloves, curry paste and a bit of salt and pepper. Set aside.

2.                   Heat your largest sauté pan (or wok, if you have one!) over high heat. When the pan is hot, add your coconut oil and swirl around to coat the pan. Immediately add your red pepper peppers with a bit of salt and pepper. Sauté for about 1 minute.

3.                   Add your eggplant to the pan and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Toss the two ingredients together, then let the mixture sit on the high heat and "sear" for a minute or two. Flip it around and let sit for one more minute.

4.                   Sort of slide all the ingredients to one side of the pan, so about 2/3rds of the pan is totally empty. Evenly sprinkle your pork in this area and allow it to sear for about 1 minute. Toss the whole pan together and allow the ingredients to cook, sear and pick up some color (caramelize, or "turn brown") from the heat of the pan. This whole process is hot, fast and smoky, while being fun and smelling AMAZING.

5.                   After about 2 minutes, add your coconut milk. The mixture SHOULD immediately boil rapidly. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for about 4 to 8 minutes. The mixture should thicken, like a stew. Toss in the fresh thai basil, at the last moment. Taste and season with a bit of salt and pepper.

 

Note: I used sliced onions instead of eggplant since that is what I had, it was great. I also simmered it for 14mins.