Ultimate Low Fat Thai Recipes

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: THAI GREEN CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• For the curry paste, finely chop the coriander stalks and put them into a mini food blender or small food processor with the shallots, lemongrass, garlic and ginger. Pulse until as smooth as you can get it. Add the chillies, basil, threequarters of the coriander leaves, the ground cumin, coriander, pepper, lime leaves and lime juice, then pulse again. Mix in the oil and set aside. You will only be using half of this paste, the rest can be chilled for a couple of days, or frozen for up to a month.
• For the curry, heat the oil in a non-stick wok or deep sauté pan, stir in half the curry paste, then stir-fry for 1 min. Shake the coconut milk in its can, open, then pour two-thirds into the pan. Let it bubble away for 4-5 mins, stirring now and then, until reduced and thickened slightly.
• Tip in the chicken, then stir-fry for 1-2 mins until no longer pink. Stir in the fish sauce and sugar, then pour in the rest of the coconut milk to give a thinnish, creamy sauce. Lower the heat, add the lime leaves, then simmer for 5 mins to gently finish cooking the chicken. Can be frozen at this point for up to 1 month.
• While the chicken simmers, steam the mangetout and beans for a couple of mins. Serve the curry in bowls with some of the veg piled on top (serve the rest separately) along with the spring onions and the rest of the coriander leaves. Serve with a bowl of Thai fragrant rice and lime wedges for squeezing over.

THAI CHICKEN COCONUT CURRY

Steps:

• To a large skillet, add the oil, onion, and sauté over medium-high heat until the onion begins to soften about 5 minutes; stir intermittently.
• Add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is done; flip and stir often to ensure even cooking.
• Add the garlic, ginger, coriander, and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir frequently.
• Add the coconut milk, carrots, Thai curry paste, salt, pepper, and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium, and allow mixture to gently boil for about 5 minutes, or until liquid volume has reduced as much as desired and thickens slightly.
• Add the spinach, lime juice, and stir to combine. Cook until spinach has wilted and is tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and optionally add brown sugar, additional curry paste, salt, pepper, etc. to taste.
• Evenly sprinkle with the cilantro and serve immediately. Curry is best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week.

THE ULTIMATE COSMOPOLITAN

Steps:

• Pour the vodka, triple sec, schnapps, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker over ice. Cover, and roll the shaker around gently for 30 seconds. Don't shake the cocktail, or the cosmo will froth. Strain into chilled martini glasses to serve.

LOW-FAT SPICY PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Roast pumpkin and squash on a cookie sheet until soft and they have some color - around 30 minutes.
• In a large pot, saute onions and garlic in a little chicken stock until translucent.
• Add remaining chicken stock, pumpkin, squash, coconut milk, and spices.
• Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Blend (I use a hand blender) until smooth. Add more chicken stock if you wish a have a thinner soup.