Healthy World Cuisine is live on location in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the "Smart Cook Thai Cookery School". What a truly unique experience. We started out our day picking out the fresh vegetables and herbs at the wet market and now we have headed back to the alfresco cooking school in the center of the old town. The prep area, cooking and wok stations were all set up and ready to go for the first dish of the day...Phat Kra-Prao Kai: Stir Fried Chicken with Holy Basil.
The next important step was getting my name tag written in Thai language. Oh my goodness, I thought learning Mandarin (Chinese) was difficult and it has only 4 tones. Did you know Thai language has 5 tones? Chinese characters for me at least show a little picture or something that I can remember as it relates to the meaning of the word. Written Thai, employs an alphabet of 44 consonants and 32 vowels that combine to form syllabic sounds. For example here is what my name looks like written in Thai...
Do you remember reading about the fresh herbs and vegetables found in the Chiang Mai wet market? For those of you who might have missed that post entry here is the link. Essential Thai Herbs and Spices Holy Basil is the star ingredient for todays dish.
I feel like it is indeed a religious experience eating "Holy Basil".
Holy Basil is a herb that really does not release it flavors until it is cooked and then the smell and flavors it releases is amazing. In cooking, holy basil is often added to stir-fry dishes and spicy soups because of its peppery taste. Cookbooks sometimes call it "hot basil."
Holy basil is a plant. It is originally from India and is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an “adaptogen” to counter life’s stresses. It is considered a sacred plant by the Hindus and is often planted around Hindu shrines. The Hindu name for holy basil, Tulsi, means "the incomparable one." Medicine is made from the leaves, stems, and seeds.
Holy basil is used for the common cold, influenza, H1N1 (swine) flu,diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, earache, headache, stomach upset, heart disease,fever, viral hepatitis, malaria, and tuberculosis. It is also used for mercury poisoning, to promote longevity, as a mosquito repellent, and to counteract snake and scorpion bites. So with all of that going for it, why not add this little herb to some of your favorite dishes.
Phat Kra-Prao Kai: Stir Fried Chicken with Holy Basil (Serves one or only half a snack portion for a hungry teenage boy)
Recipe from Smart Cook Thai Cookery School
Ingredients
- 100 grams minced chicken
- 30 grams large onion sliced diagonally
- 30 grams baby corn (or carrot)
- 20 grams holy basil
- 1-3 fresh chili chopped (use your discretion as these little bird chilis are fire hot)
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1.5 tablespoon cooking oil
- ¼ teaspoon sugar or sugar alternative
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (omit if gluten sensitive)
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
- 3 tablespoon water
Method
Step 1: Fry the garlic and ginger until fragrant
Step 2: Add minced chicken and stir fried until cooked.
Step 3: Add the onion, baby corn and stir well. (It was emphasized in the class that certain items must be added at certain times, you cannot just fry everything together at once it must be done in stages)
Step 4: Add water and season with fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and stir again. (Mix together first in a little bowl)
Step 5: Add the holy basil and mix well. Turn off heat.
Step 6: Serve on rice topped with a fried egg. (optional)
Ingredients
- chicken breasts -
- thai holy basil (holy basil) -
- baby corns -
- chilies -
- garlic -
- onion -
- oyster sauce -
- fish sauce -
- sugar or sugar alternative -
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Zoe. In Indian Kitchens, they call "holy Basil" Tulsi and it has many culinary and healing properties. I hope you can find Tulsi n your Asian Markets in your home town. Take Care
Zoe @ Pantry and Fridge says
Just finally catching up on past posts... This is fascinating! I learned a lot in this post. There are many amazing things in this world and it looks like Tulsi is one of them. Very cool. I wonder if my Asian market has it? I'll check. 🙂
Your trip to Thai sounds like a dream.
Thank you for sharing, as always. 😀
Taryn (Have Kitchen, Will Feed) says
One of my favorite Thai Dishes. I'll have to try this soon!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Taryn, Enjoy some chillies to keep you warm this winter.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Taryn. Holy Basil is so tasty. Take care, BAM
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
That basil is just gorgeous. So is this dish!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Greg. Thai basil smells so lovely I think someone should make it into a perfume... or cologne for me.
Rachel says
Is Holy Basil the same as Cinnamon Basil? It looks just like the Cinnamon Basil that I grow in my garden... Sometimes these herbs have too many names to keep them straight 😉
Healthy World Cuisine says
Great question Rachel. They are different. I hope I have this correct, but what I have been told is that Cinnamon basil is known as bai manglak in Thailand where the leaves are preferred as an aromatic element to fresh and steamed dishes. It is also called Sweet basil. However holy basil is different as it kind of basil as it has a peppery taste and does not give off its flavors and aroma until its cooked. However, sweet basil is very aromatic and is great on salads, etc. I hope this helped and if any one else would like to chime in or has more information on this topic please let us know. BAM
Karen says
Thai food is just amazing with it's fresh and spicy ingredients. Your photos have taken me to your cooking class with you...they are great.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks for stopping by Karen. Thai food is my new food passion with its fresh ingredients, just a perfect way to start out a healthy new year. Take care, BAM
zestybeandog says
Looks so tasty! I LOVE Thai Basil!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Jen. Thai basil is so very fragrant and lovely.
gardenfreshtomatoes says
Just smelling 'regular' basil is enough to lift my spirits and make me feel healthier... 🙂
So enjoying your tour!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I could not agree more. Basil is a beautiful herb. More recipes and adventures will be coming soon. Take Care
Anonymous says
I think Korea is underrepresented! When do we see some Bi Bim Bap?
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Mr. Anonymous, you are in luck as I am cooking Korean Bi Bim Bap with one of my Korean friends next week, please stop by if you are in town. I am sure it will be posted soon.
Tandy says
I have an holy basil plant growing in my herb garden, waiting for transplanting to be placed next to my front door when our house is built 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Tandy, I am so jealous. I love holy basil and it is difficult to find here in Hong Kong but it is available if you know what back alleys to visit.
Kay aka Babygirl says
I absolutely love each photo.. it's just beautiful. And the Stir Fried Chicken dish is amazing. I can just see myself making this.. very nice
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Kay. This dish from prep to table, including steamed rice only takes about 20 minutes. My kind of yummy easy weeknight dish.
[email protected] says
Hi Bam,
To answer your question I have never tried the gingerbread waffles as pancakes but there is no reason they would not work that I can think of, A waffler is just a pancake batter cooked in a waffle maker afterall. Val
Healthy World Cuisine says
I will give this version a try and let you know how it goes. Thanks for your response. BAM
[email protected] says
Thailand is one place I would love to attend a cooking school with all of the diversity in cuisine. Have a wonderful new year and I hope to read moe of your adventures.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks for stopping by Val. My favorite part of our holiday to Thailand was the cooking class. Now don't get me wrong and exciting trek through the jungles on ATV's, night safaris and riding elephants was grand but did not top the experience of experiencing their wonderful cuisine. More Thai recipes are on their way. Take care, BAM