Thai Basil and Chili Stir-Fry Paste
Spice up your culinary repertoire with this fragrant and fiery Thai Basil and Chili Stir-Fry Paste, perfect for infusing bold flavors into your favorite dishes. Whether you're working with chicken, beef, vegetables, or tofu, this versatile paste will elevate your stir-fries, making each meal an unforgettable experience. Traditionally inspired with an option to customize the heat and a hint of sweetness, this paste brings the essence of Thai kitchens straight to your table.
4
Servings
12.5
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic
3 cloves (crushed)
ginger
1 tablespoon (minced)
fresh basil
1 bunch (leaves plucked and washed)
red chilies
3 small (minced, seeds removed or left in for more heat)
lemon juice
10 ml (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
1
Start by combining the crushed garlic and minced ginger in a bowl.
2
Rinse the basil leaves under cold water, shake off any excess moisture, and pluck the leaves from their stalks.
3
Prepare the chilies by removing their seeds (if a milder paste is desired), or leave them in for extra heat. Chop the chilies roughly.
4
In a mortar and pestle or food processor, blend the garlic, ginger, basil leaves, and chilies until you achieve a smooth paste.
5
Stir in the lemon juice, ensuring it is well incorporated throughout the paste.
6
Transfer the paste into an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
7
The paste yields approximately 250g, sufficient for infusing 4 meals.
8
To make a stir-fry, use 30g of paste per 500g of protein and/or vegetables.
9
For an authentic Thai twist, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and a dash of oyster and fish sauce to your stir-fry just before serving.
Nutrition Information
0.25g
Fat
2.75g
Carbs
0.25g
Protein
0.5g
Fiber
0.75g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thai Basil and Chili Stir-Fry Paste?
It is a fragrant and fiery spice paste used to infuse bold flavors into stir-fry dishes featuring proteins or vegetables.
How many ingredients are in the base paste?
The base paste consists of 5 ingredients: garlic, ginger, fresh basil, red chilies, and lemon juice.
How many meals does one batch of this paste cover?
The recipe yields approximately 250g of paste, which is sufficient for infusing 4 meals.
What is the recommended ratio of paste to protein?
It is recommended to use 30g of paste for every 500g of protein or vegetables.
Is this Thai Basil and Chili Stir-Fry Paste vegan?
Yes, the base ingredients of the paste are vegan-friendly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the paste itself is gluten-free, though you should check your specific sauces if you add them during the stir-fry process.
How many calories are in a serving of this paste?
Each serving contains approximately 12.5 calories.
Can I adjust the spice level of the paste?
Yes, you can remove the chili seeds for a milder paste or leave them in for extra heat.
What type of chilies should I use?
The recipe calls for 3 small red chilies.
How should the garlic be prepared?
You should use 3 cloves of crushed garlic.
What is the best way to prepare the basil?
Rinse the leaves under cold water, shake off excess moisture, and pluck them from their stalks before blending.
Can I use a food processor to make this?
Yes, a food processor is an excellent tool for blending the ingredients into a smooth paste.
Can I use a mortar and pestle?
Yes, using a mortar and pestle is a traditional method that works well for this recipe.
How should the finished paste be stored?
The paste should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
When do I add the lemon juice?
Stir in the lemon juice after the other ingredients have been blended into a paste.
What additional ingredients provide an authentic Thai twist?
Adding brown sugar, oyster sauce, and fish sauce just before serving provides an authentic flavor.
How much brown sugar should I add to the final stir-fry?
A recommended amount is 1 teaspoon of brown sugar.
What is the fat content per serving?
The paste contains approximately 0.25g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are about 2.75g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much ginger is needed?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of minced ginger.
What is the protein content of the paste?
The paste contains 0.25g of protein per serving.
Does this paste contain fiber?
Yes, there is approximately 0.5g of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in the base paste?
The base paste contains 0.75g of sugar per serving.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as Asian cuisine.
What proteins are best for this stir-fry paste?
It works exceptionally well with chicken, beef, or tofu.
Can I use this paste for vegetable-only dishes?
Yes, it is highly versatile and great for elevating vegetable stir-fries.
How much lemon juice is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 10 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the total weight yield of the recipe?
The recipe yields about 250g of stir-fry paste.
Is the basil used fresh or dried?
This recipe specifically calls for 1 bunch of fresh basil.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
The primary tags include spicy, Thai, basil, chili, and homemade.