Pad Prik King

Name: Pad Prik King
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 400 g pork; 3 tbsp prik king paste; 150 g long beans; 4 kaffir leaves; 1 tbsp palm sugar; 2 tbsp fish sauce; to taste fine sea salt

25 minutes prep 45 minutes cook Serves 4 to 6 meat

Pad Prik King, a staple in Thai home kitchens, brings the robust flavors of dry red curry to the family table, where it is cooked and shared with a sense of familiarity and warmth. This dish is not typically found on restaurant menus, but rather is passed down through generations, each cook adjusting salt and fat by feel, capturing the essence of a tradition that is both personal and communal.

The heart of Pad Prik King lies in its vibrant, savory notes, with the richness of pork balanced by the aromatic depth of prik king paste. Long beans add a crisp texture, while kaffir leaves infuse the dish with a citrusy fragrance. Palm sugar and fish sauce round out the flavors, creating a harmonious blend that is both comforting and bold, perfect for savoring with loved ones.

Ingredients

400 gpork
3 tbspprik king paste
150 glong beans
4kaffir leaves
1 tbsppalm sugar
2 tbspfish sauce
to tastefine sea salt

Method

Begin by slicing the 400 g pork into thin, bite-sized pieces. Season the pork lightly with fine sea salt, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. This step enhances the flavor of the meat and helps it absorb the spices better.
Heat a large wok or a deep frying pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned pork pieces in a single layer. Allow them to brown without stirring too much, aiming for a deep golden color on each side. This caramelization adds depth to the dish.
While the pork is browning, trim and cut the 150 g long beans into 2-inch pieces. Once the pork is well-browned, remove it from the pan and set aside, leaving the oil and browned bits in the pan for added flavor.
In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of prik king paste. Stir-fry the paste for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and slightly darker in color. This step releases the essential oils and flavors from the paste.
Return the browned pork to the pan, mixing it thoroughly with the paste. Add the cut long beans and stir to coat them evenly. The beans should start to turn a vibrant green as they cook.
Tear the 4 kaffir lime leaves into small pieces and add them to the pan. These leaves will infuse the dish with a citrusy aroma. Stir in 1 tablespoon of palm sugar and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, ensuring everything is well combined.
Continue to cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the long beans are tender-crisp and the pork is fully cooked through, with no pink remaining. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more fine sea salt if necessary.
Serve the Pad Prik King hot, accompanied by steamed rice to soak up the flavors. The dish should be aromatic with a balance of spicy, sweet, and savory notes, perfect for sharing around the table.