Evil Jungle Prince
Download Video
Recipe By: Leo Pascua
Serving Size: 8
Evil Jungle Prince
Evil Jungle Prince is named for the kick of Thai pepper in this red curry favorite. This was the signature dish served at one of Chef Keo Sananikone’s Honolulu restaurants back in the 1980’s. Keo’s Thai Cusine in Honolulu is permanently closed. Fortunately, you can still enjoy this signature dish. Over time, many cooks have tweaked the Evil Jungle Prince recipe to their own taste. Leo Pascua prefers a little less heat. So, the chopped Thai pepper is completely optional. This recipe calls for only chicken but blanched vegetables can be added to the curry just before serving in addition to or in place of the meat. You can find most of the ingredients for this recipe at Asian grocery stores. The Maesri red Curry which is Leo’s preferred brand is even available on Amazon.com.
Leo’s cook notes:
Serve with sticky rice and a cold drink
Ingredients:
3 stalks lemongrass, white part only, chopped
4 kaffir lime leaves, ribs removed, torn into small pieces (or substitute zest of one lime)
1 Thai hot peppers, seeded (optional)
4 oz. can Thai Red curry (Maesri brand)
vegetable oil
3 can coconut milk (19 oz.; Mae Ploy brand)
1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cut crosswise into strips
fish sauce to taste
8 leaves Thai basil, cut chiffonade
Accompaniments
1000 g Sticky rice (Kao Neuw), soaked at least 6 hours
Directions:
1. Chop lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai hot pepper (if using).
2. Fry red curry paste with enough oil to make a slurry over moderate heat until fragrant.
3. Add coconut milk to pot, stir to mix and simmer x 5 min. Add chicken to pot and simmer at high heat until chicken is cooked through, about 5 min.
4. Add fish sauce and palm or brown sugar to taste. Just before serving sprinkle with Thai basil.
*Dr. Leo Pascua is a pediatrician who grew up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Pascua is a member of Wahiawa United Methodist Church where he has been the choir director for almost 30 years. Leo loves to cook and has a special room in his home to display his vast collection of cookbooks.
For more favorite United Methodist recipes, visit UMC.org/OurUMTable or our page on Pinterest.
This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN. Contact is Lilla Marigza.
This video was first posted on July 28, 2020.
