Savory Thai Pad Prik King

Pad Prik King (literally "Stir-Fried Chilis with Ginger") is a popular Thai street food dish made with a combination of crispy tofu, tender vegetables, and a savory, slightly spicy sauce. The secret to great Pad Prik King lies in getting the tofu perfectly crispy and in balancing the flavors of the sauce, which should be sweet, sour, salty, and just a touch spicy.

Pad Prik King is believed to have originated in the central provinces of Thailand, where it is often served as a main course or as a side dish to rice or noodles. The dish is thought to have been created by street vendors who were looking for a way to use up leftover tofu. Today, Pad Prik King is a popular dish all over Thailand, and can be found in both restaurants and street stalls.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 10 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz extra firm tofu, pressed and sliced
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup sugar snap peas
• 1 cup red bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• ½ cup Thai chili paste
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Instructions

1. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add tofu and cook until golden brown on all sides.
3. Add broccoli, sugar snap peas and bell pepper.
4. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in green onions, chili paste, soy sauce, brown sugar and lime juice.
6. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
7. Serve over rice or noodles, if desired.

Why It Works

• Pressing the tofu removes excess moisture, which helps it to get crispy when cooked.
• Cooking the tofu in coconut oil adds a rich flavor to the dish.
• The combination of broccoli, sugar snap peas, and bell pepper provides a variety of textures and flavors.
• The chili paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice create a perfectly balanced sauce that is sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.