Pad Kra Pao is one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. It has become one of the most beloved street food’s and is often referred to as Thailand’s national dish. The dishes name Pad Kra Pao directly translates to “holy basil stir-fry,” primarily because the star ingredient is holy basil that gives the dish a unique and peppery flavour.
What is Pad Kra Pao?
A spicy and savoury dish consisting of ground meat, such as chicken, beef and pork, or seafood, that has been stir-fried with holy basil, garlic and chillies. Known for its fiery heat, coming from the fresh chillies, balanced with savoury sauce, coming from fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar. Typically served with steamed Jasmine rice and topped with a crispy fried egg, to add a richness to the dish. The ground meat is sometimes substituted with chicken, beef, pork or seafood, or for a vegetarian option, tofu is used.
The Origins of Pad Kra Pao?
Although Pad Kra Pao didn’t become popular until 1957, the dish actually dates back to the reign of King Rama VII (r. 1925-1935 CE), when Chinese immigrants in Thailand started to sell it at restaurants. Phat Kra Pao first appeared in cookbooks in the late 1970s but the method of preparation has since changed. In these cookbooks the recipe included marinating minced meat with liquor, before seasoning with fish sauce and palm sugar. Now, however, other ingredients have been added, with the main seasonings including Thai fish sauce, soy sauce, cane sugar, bird’s eye chilli and sometimes oyster sauce. Chinese century eggs have been added, as have local vegetables, such as: baby corn, onions, asparagus beans, carrots, mushrooms, banana peppers, and shoots from bamboo shoots and coconut.
Make Pad Kra Pao
Ingredients:
- Garlic
- Thai chilis
- Mild red chilis
- Ground meat, such as beef
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Unsalted stock or water
- Ground black pepper
- Holy basil
- Eggs
- Oil for frying
- Jasmine rice
Method:
- Ground the garlic and chillies into a paste using a mortar and pestle.
- Sear the ground meat in a pan or wok until it starts to brown.
- Make a sauce with fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.
- Add the chilli-garlic paste and sauce to the meat.
- At the very end, add the holy basil leaves.
- Make the basmati rice, fry the egg so its nice and crunchy, then serve.
Why make a Pad Kra Pao?
Not only is Pad Kra Pao an incredibly delicious meal, steeped in rich Thai history and culture, but it is also a very simple meal to cook, taking a little as 15 minutes. With the spices, herbs and vegetables, it is a healthy dish, which is suitable for vegetarians and is gluten free.
