Good Food Every Day

1-Pot Vegetable Green Curry
Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

*US Customary
GREEN CURRY

1/2 cup canned light coconut milk (reserve the rest of the can for adding to the curry later)
5-6 Tbsp green curry paste (add more for spicier, more intense curry, less for milder curry // or sub store-bought)
2 cups chopped shiitake, cremini, or button mushrooms
1 large red or yellow bell pepper, sliced and halved (bite-size slices)
2 14-oz cans light coconut milk (this includes the amount you used in step 1 — you need 2 14-oz cans coconut milk total as the original recipe is written)
1 cup vegetable broth
4-5 makrut lime leaves (optional)
1 stalk lemongrass, halved (optional)
1 cup bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained (or other sturdy vegetable of choice such as broccoli or cabbage)
1-2 Tbsp coconut aminos (or sub salt or tamari to taste)
1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar, palm sugar, or maple syrup
1 handful fresh basil or mint (or 1-2 tsp barley grass juice powder optional for richer color)
1 cup snap peas, snow peas, or green peas

FOR SERVING optional

White rice, Brown rice, Quinoa, or Cauliflower rice
Protein of choice (such as tofu, tempeh, chicken, or shrimp)
Fresh basil or mint
Lime wedges
Chili garlic sauce or sriracha

*Metric
GREEN CURRY

120 ml canned light coconut milk (reserve the rest of the can for adding to the curry later)
75-90 g green curry paste (add more for spicier, more intense curry, less for milder curry // or sub store-bought)
140 g chopped shiitake, cremini, or button mushrooms
1 large red or yellow bell pepper, sliced and halved (bite-size slices)
2 400-ml cans light coconut milk (this includes the amount you used in step 1 — you need 2 14-oz cans coconut milk total as the original recipe is written)
240 ml vegetable broth
4-5 makrut lime leaves (optional)
1 stalk lemongrass, halved (optional)
131 g bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained (or other sturdy vegetable of choice such as broccoli or cabbage)
15-30 ml coconut aminos (or sub salt or tamari to taste)
15-30 ml coconut sugar, palm sugar, or maple syrup
1 handful fresh basil or mint (or 1-2 tsp barley grass juice powder optional for richer color)
85 g snap peas, snow peas, or green peas

FOR SERVING optional

White rice, Brown rice, Quinoa, or Cauliflower rice
Protein of choice (such as tofu, tempeh, chicken, or shrimp)
Fresh basil or mint
Lime wedges
Chili garlic sauce or sriracha


Instructions

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk (as original recipe is written) and reserve the rest of the can for later.
Cook until the coconut milk is bubbling and some of the liquid has evaporated and left more of the dense cream behind. This is a technique I learned from Hot Thai Kitchen to avoid using oil since the coconut milk releases its natural oil/cream content once cooked for a few minutes. Stir occasionally and turn down heat as needed to prevent burning.
Next, add green curry paste and stir to combine with the coconut milk. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then add your mushrooms (if adding any animal protein or tempeh, do so now // if using tofu, I’d recommend cooking using this method and serving on the side of your curry for best texture). Adding your protein or mushrooms at this time allows them to infuse with the curry paste for richer flavor. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Next, add your bell pepper and stir to coat. I like adding bell pepper at this time to soak up some of the curry paste flavor. Then add your remaining coconut milk (total cans used should be 2 as original recipe is written) and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
Next, add makrut lime leaves and lemongrass (optional to infuse more flavor), as well as your bamboo shoots and stir. Then add coconut aminos and coconut sugar or palm sugar (starting with the lesser amounts and working your way up as needed) and stir to combine. Let the broth come to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the flavor of the broth has become more rich and your vegetables are fork tender.

OPTIONAL: For a deeper green hue, scoop out ~1 cup (240 ml) of your broth and blend in a small blender (that’s safe for blending hot liquids) with a handful of fresh basil or mint and/or 1-2 tsp of barley grass juice powder. This creates a deeper green color curry and infuses a bit of earthy, floral flavor. Stir this mixture into the pot at this time (see photo).
Taste and adjust your broth as needed at this time, adding more salt to taste, coconut aminos for depth of flavor, or coconut sugar for sweetness. You’re looking for a rich broth with a balance of sweet, spicy, and salty. Don’t be shy with seasonings as the potency of the broth will be diluted when served with grains.
In the final few minutes of cooking, add your peas and stir to combine. They only need a few minutes to cook. Then turn off heat.
Serve as is or over grain of choice or cauliflower rice. Add tofu if serving at this time. You could also top with fresh herbs, chili peppers, lime juice, or some roasted cashews at this time (something I enjoy for more protein and texture).
Store cooled leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.

Notes
*This recipe is not a traditional Thai dish but, rather, is Thai-inspired.
*For additional protein, we like to serve this curry with greens, peas, and quinoa and garnish with cashews.