Northern Thai Chile Powder Recipes

HOW TO MAKE THAI CHILI FLAKES (PRIK BON)

Steps:

• Heat a pan over low heat (with no oil), add the dried chilies and stir continuously for about 5-7 minutes or until brown. Once done, the chilies should be a little shiny and darker in color but not blackened.
• Let the chilies cool completely. Then, grind in a blender or food processor until the desired texture is reached.
• Store in an airtight container and use within 1-2 months. (Thai chili flakes last longer than a few months but they lose their heat and flavor over time)

KHAO SOI GAI (NORTHERN THAI COCONUT CURRY NOODLES SOUP WITH CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Prepare the red chilies, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, ginger, shallots, kaffir lime leaves, dried red chilies, and coriander roots (or stems if using) as indicated in the 'Ingredients' section. Add them to a food processor bowl, along with the turmeric powder, coriander powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and canola oil.
• Cover and pulse into a smooth paste, uncovering as needed to push down the ingredients with a spoon and adding a tablespoon of water at a time to help the paste come along. It's okay if there are a few chunky bits, but try to get the paste as smooth as possible. Transfer to a bowl or small container and set aside. (Note: The paste can be made a day in advance.)
• Cut the wonton wrappers into thin strips - about 4mm wide. Then heat 3-4 cups canola oil in a small pot over high heat (you may need more or less depending on the size of your frying vessel). Once the oil reaches a temperature of 180°C/356°F, turn down the heat to medium-low and add a small handful of the wonton wrapper strips. Fry for about 30 seconds, or until they are lightly golden and crispy. They will rise to the top and crisp up instantly. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain, then repeat until all of the wonton wrapper strips are cooked. Set aside.
• Clean and pat-dry the chicken thighs, then cut into bite-sized pieces. Slice the red onion (or shallots if using), mince the garlic, and chop the red chilies. Rinse and drain the mung bean sprouts and set aside.
• Heat the canola oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Once hot, add the Khao Soi paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes, or until the chicken starts to develop color and is coated in the paste.
• Add the red onion, garlic, and red chilies and stir to combine. Cook for a minute or until the onion has slightly softened.
• Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and coconut milk and stir to combine. Then stir in the mung bean sprouts and reduce the heat to medium-low.
• Season with fish sauce, sweet dark soy sauce, coconut sugar, lime juice, chili powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, then simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes. Taste and add fish sauce and sugar if needed to suit your taste, then switch off the heat.
• Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions in a pot of boiling salted water. Drain and divide the noodles evenly into four bowls.
• Ladle the chicken and soup on top of the noodles in the bowls. Top with the crispy wonton strips, chopped coriander and mint leaves, and sliced red onion. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing if desired.

KHAO SOI GAI (NORTHERN THAI COCONUT-CURRY NOODLES WITH CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Make the curry paste: Bring 1/4 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the dried chiles and makrut lime leaves (if using) to a small bowl; pour the boiling water on top and let steep for 10 minutes.
• While the mixture steeps, separate the cilantro leaves from the stems; set leaves and any tender stems aside for garnish. Roughly chop cilantro stems and add to a small food processor (or the bowl of a large mortar and pestle) along with the shallots, turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, curry powder, shrimp paste (if using) and lime zest.
• Add the soaked chile mixture (including its liquid) and process (or crush with a pestle) until curry paste is smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, about 10 minutes for either method. Curry paste can be made up to 2 weeks ahead; store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the fried noodles: In a medium (2-quart) saucepan, bring 3 cups neutral oil to 325 degrees over medium-high heat. Add 4 ounces noodles and fry, flipping once or twice, until light brown, 30 to 60 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer noodles to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside until ready to serve. Cool, strain and store remaining oil in a covered jar for another use.
• Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium. Add about 1/4 cup coconut cream, scraped from the top of one of the cans of coconut milk, to the pot and let it melt, about 10 seconds. Add at least half of the curry paste - or more, for a more pungent khao soi - and stir until deeply fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and the remaining coconut milk, and increase heat to medium-high. Bring mixture just to a low boil, about 3 minutes.
• Use 1 tablespoon salt to season drumsticks, then add them to the boiling curry mixture. Cover, and let simmer until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover, lower heat, and add remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock along with 1 cup water. (It should be more like soup than stew.) Season to taste with fish sauce, sugar and salt. Turn heat to very low, and cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 teaspoons salt and remaining 12 ounces noodles. Cook until al dente. Drain and portion into four bowls. Add 2 drumsticks to each bowl, and about 2 cups curry broth. Garnish with fried noodles, pickled mustard greens, sliced shallots, chile paste or oil, reserved cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

NORTHERN THAI CHILE POWDER

Steps:

• Break enough diplii diplii in half to measure 2 tablespoons. Toast diplii diplii, coriander, cumin, peppercorns (if using), and chiles together in a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant and coriander seeds are a shade darker, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer spices to a bowl to cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes, then finely grind in grinder.