Pad Kra Pao (Spicy Holy Basil Stir-Fry)

DESCRIPTION

A popular Thai dish, pad kra pao, or pad krapow, is a delicious stir-fry with holy basil, chilies & ground meat. It’s easy to make at home & you get to adjust the amount of oil & chilies used to make the dish healthier & less spicy if you prefer.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 thai chilies
• 5 cloves garlic
• 60g green beans
• 1/2 onion
• 400g lean ground pork
• 30g holy basil leaves
• 2 tsp grapeseed oil

Sauce

• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp monk fruit erithrytol sweetener

To serve

• 2 servings steamed rice
• 2 fried eggs (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut green beans into shorter pieces and dice onion.
2. Using a mortar and pestle, pound chilies and garlic into a paste.
3. Make the stir-fry sauce by combing all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl.
4. Heat up oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chili and garlic mixture and stir-fry until fragrant and garlic turns golden brown.
5. Add ground pork and cook until it starts to change color.
6. Add sauce and continue stir-frying for 30 seconds.
7. Add green beans and onions and continue stir-frying until pork is cooked through.
8. Turn off the heat and stir in holy basil.
9. Serve hot over steamed rice/ cauliflower rice. Top with a fried egg if desired. Enjoy!

NOTES

• I used pork but you can use your favorite protein of choice. This dish is most commonly made with ground chicken but essentially any protein will work well.
• Adjust the amount of chilies used according to your spice tolerance.
• You can use cauliflower rice if you prefer.
• If you can’t find holy basil, you can substitute with Thai basil or even regular sweet basil.
• You may substitute monkfruit erithrytol sweetener with any other sweetener of choice.

© Chloe Ting Recipes – https://chloeting.com/recipes/pad-kra-pao-spicy-holy-basil-stir-fry