Thailand's vibrant culinary scene boasts a humble yet beloved vegetable: morning glory. This fast-growing vine, with its tender stems and delicate flowers, features prominently in countless Thai dishes, showcasing its versatility and unique flavor profile. From simple stir-fries bursting with garlic and chili to complex curries infused with aromatic spices, morning glory transforms into a culinary chameleon, adapting to various cooking styles and flavor palettes. Its slightly bitter yet refreshing taste complements both savory and subtly sweet dishes, making it a staple in countless Thai kitchens.
This article delves into the delicious world of Thai morning glory, exploring two distinct yet equally captivating recipes: a classic stir-fry and a surprisingly delightful sour curry featuring both the stems and the often-overlooked flowers. Ready to embark on a culinary journey through Thailand’s morning glory magic? Let's jump into the detailed, step-by-step instructions for creating these two exquisite dishes.
Tools Needed
- wok or large pan
- mortar and pestle
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare Ingredients & Stir-fry Morning Glory
- Wash and prepare the morning glory for stir-fry. Remove hard stems and cut into bite-sized pieces. (Don't cut too long)
- crush 6-7 cloves.
- In a wok, stir-fry the garlic until fragrant. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and MSG (optional).
- Wash the dried shrimp several times. Dry fry until fragrant to reduce saltiness.
- Add the dried shrimp to the wok. Stir-fry on high heat until the shrimp is fragrant.
- Add the prepared morning glory to the wok and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
Step 2. Prepare and Cook Sour Curry
- Wash morning glory flowers thoroughly. Remove old stems.
- Pound 8-10 dried chilies, 4 shallots, and 2-3 galangal roots until fine. Add 1/2 tablespoon of shrimp paste.
- In a separate pot, add the curry paste, palm sugar, salt, curry powder, fish sauce, and tamarind juice. Stir until well dissolved.
- Add water to the curry paste mixture. Bring to a boil, then add the morning glory flowers and canned fish. Simmer until the vegetables are cooked.
Step 3. Combine and Serve
- Serve the stir-fried morning glory and sour curry with rice.
Read more: Thai Basil Pork: A Quick & Easy Recipe (with Fried Egg!)
Tips
- Cut morning glory into manageable sizes for easier eating.
- Adjust the spiciness of the curry to your preference by adding more or less chilies.
- For a thinner curry, add more water.
- The stir-fried morning glory can also be cooked with eggs for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Calories: approximately 200-300
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbs: 20-30g
- Protein: 5-7g
FAQs
1. Where can I find morning glory?
Morning glory is often found in Asian grocery stores or farmers' markets. If unavailable, you can sometimes substitute with spinach or other leafy greens, though the flavor will differ.
2. Can I adjust the spice level in the recipes?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the amount of chili or chili paste to your preferred level of spiciness. Start with less and add more as needed.
We hope you enjoyed exploring the delightful versatility of morning glory through these two distinct Thai recipes. From the simple yet satisfying stir-fry to the surprisingly complex sour curry, these dishes showcase the unique flavors this humble vegetable can offer. Now go forth and create your own Thai morning glory masterpieces!