Thai basil

Fried Asian Sea Bass with Ginger-Lemongrass Curry, Scallion Scapes and Edamame

/ Ren

Skinless Pla Krapong (Asian sea bass, ปลากระพง) filets are dipped in beaten egg, then dusted in a seasoned mixture of 65% organic rice flour and 35% organic corn flour, then shallow-fried in 1/4-inch of raw coconut oil until light golden brown and flaky.

Served over a curry of coconut milk, lemongrass, fresh ginger, galangal, red and green chilies, kaffir lime peel and coriander seed, with crispy scallion scapes, edamame and fresh Thai basil..

Fried Sea Bass with Ginger Lemongrass Curry, Scallion Scapes and Edamame

Generally mercury and PCP-free, the mild-tasting, high-protein Asian sea bass (barramundi in Australia) contains roughly 800mg of omega-3s per serving.  With a texture similar to wild Alaskan cod, the Asian sea bass is suitable for frying, grilling and broiling.

Thai Spiced Mango Tapioca Pudding

/ Ren

Fresh ginger, Thai basil, kaffir lime, lemongrass, fresh mango, tapioca, cream, coconut milk and cayenne..

Thai Spiced Mango Tapioca Pudding

Thai Spiced Mango Tapioca Pudding (adapted from a recipe by Elizabeth Falkner)

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1/2 tablespoon fresh galangal, peeled and sliced
4 Thai basil leaves
2-3 sprigs fresh cilantro
1-2 small kaffir lime leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemongrass, sliced
1 cup filtered water
1/2 cup fresh cream
1/4 cup organic palm sugar
1/3 cup Bot Bang (Thai pearl tapioca)
1/2 cup heavy coconut milk
1 small fresh mango, diced
cayenne pepper

Combine ginger, galangal, basil, cilantro, lime leaves and lemongrass in the bowl of a food processor and pulse 3-4 times.  Transfer to a heavy saucepan and add 1 cup cold water.  Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes.  Strain liquid into another heavy saucepan, pressing on the solids with the back of a wooden spoon to release as much liquid as possible.

Add cream and sugar to the decoction and bring to a boil.  Stir in tapioca, reduce heat and simmer, stirring often until reduced in volume by about a third, about 1/2 hour.

Stir in mango, cover and allow to cool 10 minutes.

To serve, spoon pudding into a glass or shallow plate and sprinkle with cayenne pepper.  Garnish with basil and crystallized ginger.

Thai Red Curry Mussels

/ Ren

Fresh Pacific blue mussels are steamed with garlic, lemongrass, chilies, basil, cilantro, Thai red curry paste, coconut milk and fresh lime..

Thai Red Curry Mussels

 

Serves 2

1 tablespoon raw coconut oil
1 stalk lemongrass, crushed
1 clove garlic, minced
1-2 green chilies, split
1/4 cup fish stock, clam juice or filtered water
1 oz white wine
1 teaspoon nam pla (fish sauce)
1 cup heavy coconut milk
2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
1 fresh lime, divided
1 pinch unrefined sugar
2 tablespoons Thai basil, chiffonade-cut, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

When buying mussels, select only those that are closed tight (see mussel cleaning instructions) and try to use them within 24 hours.

Heat coconut oil in a heavy skillet over medium low heat.  Add garlic, lemon grass and chilies and steep for 15 minutes without browning.  Increase heat to medium.  As soon as the garlic begins to sizzle, add the curry paste and fry 2 minutes.  Whisk in stock, wine and fish stock and reduce briefly.  Stir in coconut milk, sugar, juice of 1/2 lime, basil and cilantro.  Add mussels, cover and simmer until mussels open wide, about 5 minutes.

To serve, discard any unopened mussels, then arrange in the center of a serving plate.  Discard chilies and lemongrass and pour the remaining sauce over the mussels.  Garnish with fresh basil, cilantro and lime and serve hot.