World Flavors Cookbook

Gaeng Som (Sour Orange Curry)

A light, fiercely sour and spicy Southern Thai curry made with tamarind, shrimp paste, and fresh vegetables. No coconut milk.

Cuisine: Thailand

Ingredients

• 400g shrimp or white fish, cleaned
• 3 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp shrimp paste (kapi)
• 3 dried red chilies, soaked
• 2 shallots
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 200g green beans, cut
• 100g cabbage, cut
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp palm sugar
• 1L water or light fish stock

Instructions

1. Blend shrimp paste, soaked chilies, shallots, and turmeric into a curry paste.
2. Boil water. Add curry paste and stir to dissolve.
3. Add tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar.
4. Add harder vegetables (green beans). Cook 5 minutes.
5. Add cabbage and shrimp or fish. Cook until protein is just cooked.
6. Taste for sour-salty-spicy balance.