Regardless, there is a lot of potential to extract oodles of flavor and deliciousness from the likes of peppers and chilis. Spice is one of the most important aspects of the flavor profile of Asian cuisine. Thai cuisine, in particular, utilizes the aroma and delicious fruity flavor of chilis to the max. One of the chili products that is a prime feature of Thai cooking is Nam Prik Pao.
What is Nam Prik Pao?
A key ingredient in many delicious Thai dishes, it is a trusty partner for many home cooks as well as professional chefs for the sake of seasoning and adding some fruity spice. The name ‘Nam Prik Pao’ can be translated into the phrase ‘chili water’. It is essentially a paste made from various kinds of Thai chili peppers or other red chilis. The process of smoking helps to accentuate the taste. Other ingredients you will need include garlic, shallots, palm sugar to add sweetness, tamarind paste and shrimp paste for the savory notes, and water as needed. Once you have roasted your chilies in a wok, crush them up into a ground powder. Cook up the shallots and garlic in a pan to soften and brown them with a bit of vegetable oil. Set them aside. Combine the chili with the shrimp (or dried shrimp powder or fish sauce) and tamarind paste, sugar, and water in a food processor or use a mortar and pestle. Then add the shallots and garlic as well. Process it into a thick paste and simmer it in the pan for a little while for a delicious homemade Nam Prik Pao. For example, you can top up your stir fry, rice, or salad dressing with it. Other times, you can use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables and meat, especially fish. You can also incorporate into many recipes, like adding it to broth, soups, and stews for a rich color and hearty, spicy flavor. Perfect for any Thai food. You can make your own version with the kind of peppers that you prefer and thus monitor the spice level. So, you can make it super spicy if that is how you prefer it or you can make it mild. Another way to moderate the level of heat is by removing the membranes of the chili peppers you are using. Since these membranes contain a lot of the spicy oils and heat elements, you will considerably lower the heat level. Also, there is another chili paste, called sambal oelek, which has a similar taste profile although it is not as savory. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate it promptly.
Recipe Ideas
Wondering what recipes you might make to incorporate nam prik pao? Consider some of these:
Tom Yum Soup Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) Yakisoba Noodles Spicy Ramen Noodles Spicy Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry Pad Thai Recipe Pad Thai Sauce Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
