Mushroom pad kra pao (Vegan Thai basil stir-fry)

Step 1/ 3

• 100 g shiitake mushrooms
• 200 g king oyster mushrooms
• 1⅓ tsp salt
• 100 g green beans
• 2⅔ cloves garlic
• 1⅓ shallots
• 2 Thai chilis
• 20 g Thai basil

• cutting board
• knife
• sieve
• bowl (large)
• pot (small)

Clean the mushrooms and finely cube (watch the recipe video above for efficient slicing tips!) Add them to a large sieve and place over a large bowl. Combine them with the salt, thoroughly mix and set aside. Slice ends off green beans and halve. Put a small pot of salted water to boil. Meanwhile, mince the garlic, thinly slice shallots, and cut the Thai chili in rings—deseeding if you prefer it less spicy. Pluck the leaves of the Thai basil (or holy basil, if using).

Step 2/ 3

• ⅔ tbsp light soy sauce
• 1⅓ tbsp sweet soy sauce
• ⅔ tsp rice vinegar
• 50 ml water
• ⅔ tsp brown sugar

• bowl (large)
• bowl (small)
• slotted spoon

Blanch green beans in boiling, salted water for approx. 1 min. Drain and transfer to an ice bath. In a small bowl, mix the light soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Squeeze out most of the liquid from the mushrooms with your hands. Discard the liquid and toss squeezed mushrooms with brown sugar.

Step 3/ 3

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• jasmine rice (cooked, for serving)

• wok
• spatula

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or a large pan on very high heat. When the oil is hot and just starting to smoke, add chili and fry for approx. 1 min. It is essential that the oil is very hot, as this reduces the pungent heat of the chili and gives the dish its aroma. Reduce heat to high, add garlic and shallot and fry another 1 min., or until the shallot is translucent. Add the diced mushrooms, stir and cook on high heat for approx. 8 min., until the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms are cooked through. Add sauce and green beans and stir-fry, then add most of the basil and stir-fry just to combine. Remove from heat, serve with hot jasmine rice, and garnish with more basil. Enjoy!

Enjoy your meal!