Thai red curry

Ingredients to make red curry paste: 

1. Dried Red Chilies – 6
2. Thai Red Chilies – 3-4
3. Lemon Grass – 1 Tbsp(if you have)
4. Chopped Ginger – 1  Tbsp 
5. Chopped Onion – 1/2
6. Cilantro Stems – 10(leave out the leaves)
7. Chopped Garlic – 5 pods
8. Black Pepper or white pepper– 1 tsp
9. Salt
10. Oil

Method to make red curry paste:

1.Soak the dried red chillies in hot water for 20 minutes
2.Take the soaked chillies after draining the water and all the other ingredients in the mixie.
3.Add little salt and grind to a smooth paste without adding water.(If you want,you can add very little water)
4.Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a pan.
5.Add the paste and nicely cook it for 8-10 min till the paste absorbs the oil and starts to clump to a smaller quantity.
6.Remove from stove and allow it to cool.
7.You can store the paste in an airtight container,refrigerate it and use it upto 1 month.

Ingredients for Thai Red curry: 

1. Red Curry Paste – 2-3 tbsp or as per taste
2. Red Bell Pepper – 1/2(thin sliced)
3. Green Bell Pepper – 1/2 (thin sliced)
4. Carrot – 1/2 (thin sliced)
5. Green Peas – 1/4 cup
6. Onion – 1/4, sliced
7. Snow Peas – 10-12 (This gives the crunch)
8. Coconut Milk – 1 can( 350 ml)
9. Sugar – 2 tbsp
10. Thai Basil Leaves – 4-6
11. Soy Sauce-1 Tbsp

Method to make Red curry:

1.Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a pan
2.After 3 minutes,add 2-3 Tbsp of red curry paste and stir well
3.After 5 minutes of sauting the paste,add the coconut milk.
4.Nicely mix so that there are no lumps.
5.Now add in sugar and soy sauce.
6.Start adding all the vegetables to the coconut gravy.(Quick tip!!:You can nicely wash & use the frozen thai vegetables instead of chopping them separately)
7. You can also add Tofu pieces(I am not a big fan of tofu,so skipped it)
8.Add some basil leaves  and cook well for 10 minutes.Mix occasionally.
9.Turn off stove,garnish with few more torn basil leaves and serve hot with jasmine rice/brown rice.
10.If you don't get the desired red color,sprinkle a lil paprika:)

Quick tip!!:
You can make a generous quantity of red curry paste,refrigerate it.So,once the paste is available,the red curry can be done in no time!!

Brown rice takes a longer time to cook than white rice.Make sure you add 2 cups of water to 1 cup of brown rice.When you pressure cook it,simmer it for 20 minutes after 2-3 whistles.