Thai Basil Pork Stir-fry Rice Bowl (Pad Krapow Moo)
#PorkRecipe #PadKrapowMoo #ThaiPorkStirfry #PorkRiceBowl
Moving beyond our usual soy sauce-based pork stir-fries or kimchi pork stir-fries, we’re diving into the vibrant flavors of Thailand with ‘Pad Krapow Moo’. This dish features a delicious combination of fish sauce and fragrant basil, creating a taste that’s truly exceptional. Served over rice and topped with a fried egg, it’s an absolute delight! We’ve seen this popular dish on food shows, and its savory notes and the richness of the pork make it a perfect companion for rice. Its deep brown color is truly appetizing, and you can easily recreate this authentic Thai rice bowl at home!
Ingredients- Ground pork 500g
- Fresh basil leaves 20g (spinach can be substituted if basil is unavailable)
- 1 onion (roughly chopped)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp Chinese dark soy sauce (Lao Chou)
- 4 cloves garlic (roughly minced)
- 1 tsp ginger (minced)
- 2 Tbsp soju (for removing pork odor)
- 5 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste, can use bird’s eye chilies, Vietnamese chilies, or Thai chilies)
- 4 Tbsp spring onions (chopped)
- 4 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 Tbsp Nuoc Mam (Vietnamese/Thai fish sauce)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare the fresh basil leaves. If basil is not available, you can successfully substitute it with fresh spinach to make a delicious rice bowl.
Step 2
Instead of finely mincing the garlic, give it a rough chop. This will allow you to enjoy a more robust garlic flavor in the dish.
Step 3
Have your ground pork ready.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil for stir-frying green onions (scallions). Add the roughly chopped garlic, chopped spring onions, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir-fry until fragrant. If you like extra heat, you can also add dried chilies like bird’s eye, Vietnamese, or Thai chilies at this stage and stir-fry them.
Step 5
Once the aromatic scents of garlic, chili, and scallion oil fill the air, add the ground pork. Stir-fry the pork, breaking it up with your spatula to prevent clumping and ensure it cooks evenly. Constantly breaking apart the meat is key.
Step 6
To effectively eliminate any pork odor, add 2 tablespoons of soju and continue to stir-fry. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving the pork clean-tasting.
Step 7
When the pork is partially cooked, push the ingredients to one side of the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the empty side of the pan and let it melt and caramelize slightly. Then, mix it with the other ingredients and stir-fry together. This caramelization adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a hint of smokiness.
Step 8
Again, push the ingredients to one side. Pour 3 tablespoons of Chinese dark soy sauce (Lao Chou) into the empty side of the pan and let it bubble vigorously. Quickly stir-fry it with all the other ingredients. This step imparts a deep umami flavor and a beautiful color to the dish. The sugar and soy sauce are for adding a ‘wok hei’ (breath of the wok) flavor, and the soju helps remove any unwanted odors.
Step 9
As the pork starts to turn a nice brown color, add the roughly chopped onion and stir-fry together until the onion becomes translucent.
Step 10
Once the onion and pork are well combined and stir-fried, add the fresh basil leaves you prepared. Stir-fry briefly just until the basil wilts. It’s important to keep the heat high throughout this entire process to maintain the texture of the ingredients.
Step 11
Finally, season the dish with 4 tablespoons of oyster sauce and 3 tablespoons of Nuoc Mam (fish sauce). Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
Step 12
Stir-fry everything vigorously over high heat until the sauce has completely reduced and the pork has a rich, dark brown color. This thorough cooking enhances the flavors.
Step 13
Your Thai Basil Pork Stir-fry is ready! It’s savory, rich with pork flavor, and wonderfully aromatic with basil. The appetizing brown color truly whets the appetite.
Step 14
Now, let’s prepare a fried egg to complete the rice bowl. Fry it sunny-side up or to your desired doneness.
Step 15
On a serving plate, place a generous portion of warm rice on one side. On the other side, generously spoon the freshly made Thai pork stir-fry.
Step 16
In the center of the stir-fry, place the fried egg. Breaking the yolk and mixing it with the rice and pork is highly recommended for an extra layer of richness.
Step 17
Finish by sprinkling some chopped spring onions over the top as a garnish. Your authentic Thai Basil Pork Rice Bowl, ‘Pad Krapow Moo’, is beautifully complete! Enjoy your delicious meal!
