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    Home > Recipes > Life in Thailand

    Of Coconuts and Curries

    Published: Jun 30, 2011 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 51 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Despite my profound linguistic limitations, there are many things I have become pretty comfortable with doing in Bangkok.  I'll jump into a cab and muddle through with directions.  I'll even go most cafes feeling certain that, at the least, I'll be able to order fried rice and a glass of water.

    Most of the time, if I'm feeling brave, I'll walk up to a vendor on the street and use what vocabulary I can, pull out some vigorous hand gestures and a big smile, and manage to get what I need.  There has been one exception that I have, for some reason, avoided until today.

    A few months ago I took a cooking class where we went to a beautiful market to buy fresh produce.  We bought one ingredient from a vendor in that market that I have thought about since - fresh coconut milk.

    Now, it's not impossible to find fresh coconut milk in other places...this is Thailand, after all.  But this coconut milk was the best I've ever tasted.  The women who made it put whole coconuts into a shiny metal machine that grounded them into a pulp.  The pulp came out one side and was then pressed, on the spot, into the most rich, sweet, fresh coconut milk I've had.

    Today I went back to the market to get some of that delicious milk for dinner.

    It was a disaster....

    I think I have it made when I see bags of the milk already in a row on the counter.  I point to a bag, ask for one of "those", and figure I'm all set.  Not so.  Out comes a series of lengthy questions from the vendor.  (I'm in trouble.)  I give her a puzzled look, smile, point to the bags, and again say  "I'll have one of those".  She holds up two sizes of bags, and asks another question.  (I am panicking at this point, thus forgetting what little Thai I know).  I point to the smaller one.  She puts them both on a scale, and asks me another question.  I point to the small bag again.  Big smile.  She asks if I speak Thai.  (I debate turning and running home.)  "I'm studying the Thai language," I manage to say.  She appears confused, but holds up the small bag.  I nod effusively and hold out 100 Baht.  This seems to seal the transaction.  She gives me change and hands me the bag.  (I breath a sigh of relief and contemplate using canned coconut milk from this point forward.)

    Gathering this key ingredient for tonight's dinner could probably only have felt more daunting if I had shimmied up a tree and knocked down the coconuts myself.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Potato Curry with Mango and Basil

    Spicy and sweet, this simple potato curry gets loads of flavor from mango and basil. I love it over quinoa or brown rice for a quick, unique dinner.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Servings: 4
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
    • 2 tablespoon curry powder
    • 1 large baking potato, peeled and chopped into ½-inch cubes
    • ½ cup finely chopped onion
    • 2 cups light coconut milk
    • 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into thin strips
    • 2 cups chickpeas
    • 1 mango, peeled and cut into thin strips
    • 2 Ttbsp. fish sauce (or soy sauce, for a vegan version)
    • 1 tsp. sriracha
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
    • steamed rice, for serving

    Instructions

    • Heat oil and curry powder in a large skillet over medium heat. Add potato and onion and cook until onions become soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add coconut milk and reduce heat to a low simmer. Simmer until potatoes become tender, about 5 minutes. (Add a bit of water if the coconut milk reduces down and is no longer covering the potatoes.)
    • Add bell pepper, chickpeas, mango, fish sauce, siracha, and sugar, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Adapted from Self, May 2008

     

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      June 30, 2011 at 10:42 am

      It sounds like it was worth the trouble. The curry looks great!

      Reply
    2. Calogero Mira

      July 06, 2011 at 8:59 pm

      Very nice table in the photo and... thanks for the recipe.

      https://calogeromirafoodand.wordpress.com

      Reply
    3. Things You Realize After You Get Married

      July 06, 2011 at 9:25 pm

      Coconut milk works great in curries! I have tasted the difference in curries that use it and those that don't! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Mikalee Byerman

      July 06, 2011 at 9:33 pm

      Beautiful photo -- and incredible recipe. I'm totally game!

      🙂

      Reply
    5. histav

      July 06, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      Thank you for the recipe. Try

      https://histavar.com/blog/globalnpn

      Reply
    6. Hiit

      July 06, 2011 at 9:42 pm

      mmm looks tasty!

      Reply
    7. Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

      July 06, 2011 at 9:56 pm

      Looks great and it's good to see you on Freshly Pressed!

      Reply
    8. Kathryn McCullough

      July 06, 2011 at 10:04 pm

      Thailand is the land of smiles, after all! I adore Bangkok!

      I lived in Vietnam for a year and know that Asian languages are ridiculously hard to learn. So congrats on getting that milk and congrats on freshly pressed, while we're at it!

      Great post from a place I love!

      Kathy

      Reply
    9. Magnet for Foolishness

      July 06, 2011 at 10:08 pm

      Looks and sounds delish!!

      Reply
    10. I Made You A Mixtape

      July 06, 2011 at 10:38 pm

      I love coconut in EVERYTHING... in my chocolate, in my curries, in my drinks...even in mu sun tan lotion...lol! Fabulous recipe... I am intrigues to know what the lady kept asking you!lol.

      Reply
    11. trialsinfood

      July 06, 2011 at 11:33 pm

      sounds like the adventure was getting the coconut milk. the curry looks yummy!

      Reply
    12. Eva McCane

      July 06, 2011 at 11:40 pm

      good thing it's almost lunch time because that picture just made my mouth water. yum.

      Reply
    13. prettylittlepinkthings

      July 07, 2011 at 12:21 am

      This looks so good! I'm saving this recipe for later. 🙂

      Reply
    14. gaycarboys

      July 07, 2011 at 12:45 am

      Sensational. I'm going to give it a go.

      Reply
    15. James M.

      July 07, 2011 at 1:04 am

      I love curry, and a majority of my meals are vegetarian. I will definitely give this recipe a try. Thank you!

      Reply
    16. Hieronymo

      July 07, 2011 at 1:08 am

      I'm glad you persevered to get the coconut milk you wanted! Thanks for the recipe--I have been trying to cook with coconut more often.

      Reply
      • inquiringchef

        July 13, 2011 at 7:13 am

        It was a lot of trouble, but definitely worth the pay-off in the end. I have been trying to use coconut milk more often as well. Please do share if you have any coconut milk recipes that you would recommend!

        Reply
    17. midnitechef

      July 07, 2011 at 1:10 am

      I'm guessing you have Thai Basil, which is different from "Sweet" Basil? Looks good, I've made something similar and added a few shrimp at the end.

      Reply
      • inquiringchef

        July 13, 2011 at 7:12 am

        Great catch, midnitechef. Both Thai and Sweet basil are fairly easy to find here in Bangkok. I typically try to use the sweet Italian variety whenever possible for the blog, unless I specify otherwise. I know that in most places, Thai basil is near impossible to find. It certainly is delicious though!

        Reply
    18. eva626

      July 07, 2011 at 1:30 am

      nom nom nom!!!

      Reply
    19. Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

      July 07, 2011 at 2:43 am

      I just found your blog and I like it. Great story and nice dish...

      Reply
    20. ournote2self

      July 07, 2011 at 3:40 am

      Looks delicious. Congrats on being FP'd!

      Reply
    21. Val Rocha

      July 07, 2011 at 4:37 am

      Thank you for sharing... and for daring! Nest time it will be better!

      Reply
    22. DanEastSide

      July 07, 2011 at 4:48 am

      my fav, i eat this 2 time a week, cool post.

      Reply
    23. G

      July 07, 2011 at 6:06 am

      Yummo! That looks woo-woo delish!

      Reply
    24. GFanthome

      July 07, 2011 at 6:06 am

      Oooh... yummo! That looks woo-woo delish!

      Reply
    25. amcalonder

      July 07, 2011 at 8:15 am

      i'm actually living in thailand myself right now and i'm all-too-familiar with such interactions! but, as it seems you did, i find they're usually worth it in the end. i will definitely be attempting this dish-- but where do you get chick peas?! i've been living miserably (okay, maybe a bit of an exaggeration) without since arriving here.

      Reply
      • inquiringchef

        July 07, 2011 at 8:54 am

        Hi neighbor! They sell dried chickpeas in small bags in some of the bigger upscale grocery stores. Mine come from Foodland and I just soak them overnight and boil them until they're cooked. I find quinoa at Foodland too, but when we first got here I wasn't sure what I would do with myself without those "staples".

        Reply
    26. achilliad

      July 07, 2011 at 9:09 am

      Delicious, i am sure, however a triple-whammy for anyone with Anaphylaxis which is when nut-meats or large-pitted "fruits" induce the swelling of the inner throat or esophagus. I only mention this bcs at an early age of my five decades on earth, many people told my parents that it was "all in my head" when I got sick from coconuts, mango, pesto or even got "zits" on my nose from eating bananas. So traveling to the Caribbean is fought with food dangers of these kinds that I have learned to avoid unless hidden in menu items. Beware! Kudos on getting freshly-peanut oil pressed. 🙂

      Reply
    27. travelwithlaughter

      July 07, 2011 at 10:07 am

      Looks yummy and I am not even a fan of Curry! thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    28. culinarystorm

      July 07, 2011 at 11:45 am

      glorious looking curry!

      Reply
    29. eyinginvisibilities

      July 07, 2011 at 11:56 am

      My husband and I love coconut & curry dishes--we'll be trying this!

      Reply
    30. Auspicious Wedding Dates

      July 07, 2011 at 12:31 pm

      And add some chili powder for a roar-rific experience 😀

      Reply
    31. cookiesrainandlove

      July 07, 2011 at 12:32 pm

      Looks fantastic and yum! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂

      Reply
    32. be awake

      July 07, 2011 at 3:35 pm

      so i have the idea for a lunch 🙂

      Reply
    33. gladiolinyx

      July 07, 2011 at 3:46 pm

      thanks for the recipe. I've tried it and yes, everyone do love it 🙂

      Reply
    34. Greg

      July 07, 2011 at 3:55 pm

      Hey Thanks for sharing.....Great recipe!!! will try it today.
      https://doubtscleared.wordpress.com

      Reply
    35. richannkur

      July 07, 2011 at 4:07 pm

      yummy

      Reply
    36. Bootsmannundtornado

      July 07, 2011 at 8:05 pm

      Looks delicious and I like the style of your blog! I will follow your posts and try to cook something. The pictures are also really beautiful. I like! 🙂
      Cheers! B&T

      Reply
    37. Ayeda

      July 07, 2011 at 8:28 pm

      Mouth watering receipe .......yummy 🙂

      Reply
    38. sprocket66

      July 08, 2011 at 9:03 am

      I am excited to try this recipe! ~thanks

      Reply
    39. CONIEFOX

      July 08, 2011 at 3:51 pm

      It sounds great! i gonna to try it.

      Reply
    40. niceartlife

      July 11, 2011 at 1:37 am

      So delicious!! Curries are my favorite dishes, so tasty and healthy! Thanks for sharing this great recipe!

      Reply
      • inquiringchef

        July 13, 2011 at 6:58 am

        Me too - I love curries, and they're so good for leftovers in lunch. 😉

        Reply
    41. 300hikes

      July 13, 2011 at 6:49 am

      This looks DELICIOUS, though I don't eat any animal derivatives. Do you have any suggestions about what I might use instead of fish sauces?

      Reply
      • inquiringchef

        July 13, 2011 at 6:58 am

        This would be excellent if transformed into a vegan dish! You could easily do without the fish sauce, but would need to compensate with a touch of saltiness, so I'd try a tiny bit of soy sauce or even just a pinch of salt. Let me know what you think!

        Reply
    42. rsmacaalay

      July 13, 2011 at 3:19 pm

      This is so freaking amazing! I love your recipe. I am so drooling now

      Raymund
      https://angsarap.wordpress.com

      Reply
    43. realanonymousgirl2011

      July 18, 2011 at 3:59 am

      Now I'm hungry.

      Reply
    44. Anonymous

      July 26, 2011 at 5:59 am

      I really enjoyed reading this post. The narrative introduces the recipe in a really unique manner. Thanks for that experience.. I saw this documentary called Discover The Gift that has opened my eyes to the gifts that we all have to offer... That woman merchant offered you the best coconut milk you've ever tasted, this post gave me an imaginative vivifying experience... In essence, thank you. Have you heard of Discover The Gift? You should check it out 😛 https://on.fb.me/n57FHB

      Reply
    45. Jimmy

      May 16, 2022 at 5:55 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious! A combination I’d not have tried without the recommendation. Thanks for a great, affordable dinner!

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        May 18, 2022 at 8:35 am

        So great to hear!

        Reply

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