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Thai Herb Dip 3

Serves 4 to 6 Dip vegetarian, Appetizers

Thai Herb Dip 3

Thai Herb Dip 3 is a cherished staple in Thai homes, crafted with care and a sense of culinary intuition. It's not tied to any specific festival or occasion, making it a versatile dish that finds its place on the table any day of the week. This dip embodies the essence of Thai family cooking, where ingredients are measured by feel and taste rather than precise calculations, reflecting the intuitive nature of home cuisine.

The dip is a creamy blend of yogurt and fresh herbs, punctuated by the warmth of garlic and finished with a drizzle of olive oil. The taste is a harmonious blend of tangy, herbal, and savory notes, with the saltiness perfectly balanced by the richness of the yogurt. It is best enjoyed in a communal setting, inviting everyone to dip and savor, embodying the spirit of Thai home dining.

Ingredients

  • 400 gyogurt
  • herbs — chopped
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • to finisholive oil
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Start by preparing the herbs. Choose a mix of fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Roughly chop the herbs, aiming for about 1 cup of loosely packed leaves.
  2. Peel and mince the 2 cloves of garlic. If you have a mortar and pestle, use it to pound the garlic into a paste. This releases the oils and enhances the flavor. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, finely mince the garlic with a knife and then use the flat side of the blade to mash it into a paste.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine the 400 g of yogurt with the chopped herbs and garlic paste. Blend until the mixture is smooth and the herbs are finely incorporated. The texture should be creamy with a vibrant green color.
  4. With the blender running on a low setting, slowly drizzle in olive oil to finish. This will help emulsify the dip, giving it a rich and smooth consistency. You should notice the mixture becoming slightly thicker and glossier.
  5. Add fine sea salt to taste, starting with a small pinch and gradually increasing until the flavors are balanced. To test the seasoning, spread a small amount on a piece of bread. Adjust the salt as needed to enhance the herbal and garlic notes.
  6. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and let it rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature. This brief resting period allows the flavors to meld together. Serve the dip cool, accompanied by fresh vegetables, bread, or crackers for dipping.
Cover of Authentic Thai Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Thai Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Thai Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Thai volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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