Pad Krapow Moo Saap (Fried Basil and Pork)

       An incredibly popular ‘one plate’ dish for lunch or dinner, fried basil and pork is certainly one of the most popular Thai dishes. It is made in a piping hot wok with lots of holy basil leaves, large fresh chilli, pork, green beans, soy sauce and a little sugar. The minced, fatty pork is oily and mixes with the steamed white rice for a lovely fulfilling meal. It is often topped with a fried egg (kai dao) you will most likely be asked if you would like an egg with it. Be aware that most Thai people ask for lots of chilli in this dish so if you are not a fan of tingling lips, ask for you pad krapow ‘a little spicy.

Ingredients

• 1-2 t. oil for sauté
• 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
• 3-4 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 6-12 Thai chilis, seeds in and sliced into thin rounds
• optional: 1 medium sized bell pepper or onion, julienned ¼ by 2 inches
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 T. brown sugar
• 2 T. oyster sauce
• 2 T. fish sauce (nam pla)
• 1 T. soy sauce
• dash of freshly ground white or black pepper
• 1½ to 2 C. packed fresh holy basil or sweet basil leaves
• optional: 2-3 eggs
• optional: 1 lime

Video