CarolCooks2 in my kitchen…Chicken Curry with Bamboo Shoots( noo maai)…

Good morning and welcome to my kitchen where all my recipes are cooked by me and tried and tested on my family…Trust me they are the harshest of critics…For the last few months, I have been publishing a chicken recipe on Tuesdays…

We like chicken plus chicken is such a very versatile protein it has little fat(unless we add it)…a healthy alternative to red meat… low in saturated fat, CHICKEN contains higher amounts of omega-6 fatty acids than other animal meats, is high in protein, essential vitamins and minerals such as B6, B12, iron, zinc, and copper…It is also quick and easy to cook…

However…not only have I reduced the amount of meat I eat I am trying to introduce more meat-free dishes into my family’s diet…plus many of my readers and friends are either vegetarian or vegan. I respect other people’s views and observances of their chosen diet…I will also say that I have been pleasantly surprised at my family’s response to my vegetarian recipes…so far they have liked them and not lamented (moaned) about the lack of meat…for me, that’s a big bonus…

Today I bring you, Chicken Curry, with Bamboo Shoots…

Bamboo shoots are very nice to eat…Bamboo shoots (noo maai) are used as the main ingredient in a variety of traditional Thai dishes, they can be cooked, pickled, and eaten raw. Bamboo shoots have a high amount of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C.

See the little shoot peeking its head above the ground this is what we look for and when peeled they look like the second image…Always available year-round on the markets bamboo shoots are a very healthy vegetable which is a staple of the Thai diet…

Chicken Curry with bamboo shoots…

Ingredients:

500 gm boneless, skinless Chicken Thigh Meat cut into cubes
1-3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup bamboo shoots cut roughly or into thin strips…canned ones are fine
2 – 3 Thai Chillies
1 cup Thai Sweet Basil…Horapa
5 Kaffir Lime Leaves
2 tsp Coconut Sugar
1 Tbsp Fish Sauce
1/2 tsp Salt

Let’s Cook!

Heat half the coconut milk in a wok or pan, then stir in the curry. Cook it on low heat until it is thick and well blended.

Add the chicken meat and fry it in the curry for about 5 minutes, then add the other half of the coconut milk.
Add the bamboo shoots, red chillies, and pieces of kaffir lime leaf. Cook for 10 minutes, then let it cool down slightly and stir in the basil and serve.

Enjoy!

This curry is quick to cook and delicious,

Bamboo …can be sliced and boiled, sautéed or braised and served as an accompaniment to meat and fish. They can be slow-cooked with other vegetables or stir-fried. The crunchy texture of young, tender bamboo shoots makes them a great choice served as hors d’oeuvres or stand-alone vegetable.

Healthwise bamboo is a powerhouse of proteins, carbohydrates, fibre and minerals. These shoots are very low on fat and sugar making it an ideal snack for diabetics. The presence of fibre in large quantities known as nutraceuticals helps in dealing with gut issues.

Thank you very much for reading this post…if you have already cooked with bamboo then you know how lovely it is and if you haven’t and get the chance to try it…Enjoy!.. it is a lovely vegetable and you should be able to find it tinned in your Asian Stores or online.