Pad Gra Prow (Thai Beef and Basil)

I like Thai food, and I like basil, but I don’t like dried coconut, so any time I find a recipe it makes Kat happy.  It also helps that we have a ridiculous amount of basil in the pots this year (so expect more basil recipes to be forthcoming).

Anyway, a good savory dish that tastes good even if you don’t make it burn-mouth spicy. Actual Thai basil is pretty hard to get, so this dish is a tad sweeter. I doubt you’d actually notice though.

Shopping List:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups basil (5-6 ounces)
• White rice (I like Calrose)
• 1 red pepper
• 1 shallot
• 1 bunch green onions
• Chili pepper of choice ~ I used half a poblano
• Garlic
• Ginger paste
• Soy sauce
• Fish sauce
• Brown sugar
• Red pepper flakes
• 1 small lime

First up, get three cups of rice going in the rice maker.

Prep work is pretty minimal, but it helps to get it out of the way: Slice the shallot into thin strips along the north/south axis. Cut the red pepper and chili pepper into thin strips (julienne) as well, and chop the green onions into 1/4″ or so pieces, tail and all. But don’t mix them as they’ll be added separately.

To begin cooking, in a wok saute 5 cloves of chopped garlic and a tbsp of ginger paste for a few seconds to get the aromas out.  Add in the shallot and chili. Saute until the shallot starts to get soft, which should take about 3 minutes. Next. add in the ground beef, and stir-fry until browned.

Add in the red pepper and green onions. along with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes.  Turn the heat down to a simmer and add:

• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• juice of one lime
• a pinch of salt

Simmer for about 5 more minutes, then fold in the basil leaves until they wilt.

Serve on the rice.