Thai Beef with Coconut Rice

This dish has a lot of flavour, but is simple and tasty! An easy dinner during the week. Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 minutes 
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 mins 


Ingredients
2 cups instant brown rice
1 can (400 mL) coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1 tsp salt
1 pound ground beef, lean
1 tsp garlic, I used minced
1 tsp thai red curry paste
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 onion, chopped
1 roasted red pepper, thinly sliced
1 banana pepper, finely chopped
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste


Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, water, rice and 1/4 tsp of salt.
2. Cook covered over high heat until boiling, then reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid is absorbed into rice, covered (about 25 minutes).
3. In a fry pan, combine beef, onion, garlic, banana pepper and cook until meat is browned, over medium heat.
4. While beef is cooking, combine soy sauce, curry paste and sugar in a small boil and set aside.
5. Once beef is browned, pour off liquid (fat) and turn down heat to simmer. Mix in soy sauce mixture, roasted red pepper add salt and pepper.
6. Cover beef and let simmer for about 5 minutes or so.
7. Add basil to beef and simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes. 
8. Fluff rice and serve in bowls, topped with thai beef.

Nutty Thai Chicken Naan Pizzas

This recipe is adapted from Closet Cooking, a great recipe blog by a Torontonian Kevin, who loves to cook...in his closet sized kitchen. I must say, he comes up with some big tastes in that little kitchen, and I really enjoy his recipes. 


I was inspired by his recipe for Thai Spicy Peanut Chicken Enchiladas, but adapted it a bit to suit my personal tastes, and desire to experiment!  I love Indian Naan bread, so I opted to make something that is a little bit Indian, a little bit Italian, a little bit Thai...and A LOT of flavour! I hope you will enjoy this recipe from me, or Kevin's version over at Closet Cooking. 

आप का खाना स्वादिष्ट हो (Hindi for Bon Appetit...pronounced āp kā khānā svādiṣṭa ho)

Buon appetito! (Italian for Bon Appetit)

ขอให้เจริญอาหาร! (Thai for Bon Appetit...pronounced kŏr hâi jà-rern aa-hăan)

Prep Time: 20 mins  
Hands on Cooking: 25 mins
Baking Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 60 mins


Ingredients:
Nutty Satay Sauce
1 tablespoon walnut oil
1 tablespoon red curry paste, I used Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste
1/3 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 thai chili, seeded and finely chopped CAUTION - these suckers are hot, so add less if you don't like a lot of spice


Nutty Thai Chicken Naan Pizzas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (I used yellow pepper)
3 tbsp sweet onion, chopped finely
1 large carrot, skin removed and finely sliced (julienne)
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded with a fork (I used chicken bbq'd last night)
1 handful cilantro (chopped)
1 cup Nutty Satay Sauce (see above)
4 Naan breads (or pita if you can't find naan)
1 cup mozza and old cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped peanuts, I used Our Compliments Jalapeno Kettle Cooked Peanuts


Directions:
Nutty Satay Sauce

1. Heat the walnut and sesame oil in a small pot over medium head
2. Add the red curry paste and stir into oil until well mixed
3. Add other ingredients and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, then turn heat down to low and simmer until thick
4. Set aside, you will have some left over and it is great with another meal, or with carrot sticks dipped in it

Nutty Thai Chicken Naan Pizzas

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat
2. Preheat oven to 350 F
3. When heated, add carrots, peppers and onion. Cook until soft, about 6 minutes
4. Add chicken, peanuts and two teaspoons of nutty sauce, stir until warm and well mixed.
5. Heat up grill and grill naan until crisp (optional)
6. Lay naan on baking sheet and spread a thin layer of peanut sauce - Remember it is spicy so don't put too much! 
7. Put chicken and veggie mixture, spread evening across 4 naan
8. Sprinkle with cilantro and cheese, then a little bit more cilantro for garnish
9. Bake in oven for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted

Enjoy! Leave comments and let me know if you like it and your twists on this recipe