I learned to make this authentic curry in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I’ll be co-hosting a culinaria with Oldways in 2024. Plant-based dishes really shine in Southeast Asia, which produces a rainbow of abundant, colorful, local produce just screaming to be highlighted in regional dishes. It’s all about the home-made curry paste—every cook has his or her own secret combination of spices and herbs to create their favorite. Combine that flavorful green curry paste with light coconut milk, cubes of tofu, and sliced eggplant, mushrooms and bell pepper to create a delicious meal served over brown rice. You can find many of these ingredients in a well-stocked supermarket, and definitely at an Asian supermarket or online. —Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN
For Green Curry Paste:
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
2 green bird’s eye (also called Thai) chili peppers, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped lemongrass (optional), chopped
¼ medium onion, chopped
2-inch piece ginger root, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small lime, rind, chopped
For Vegetables and Tofu:
1 15-ounce can light coconut milk
¾ medium onion, sliced
8 ounces eggplant, sliced
4 ounces mushroom, sliced
1 small bell pepper, sliced
1 14-ounce package extra firm tofu, cubed
3 tablespoons soy sauce
Toppings:Â
12 leaves Thai basil
4 kafir lime leaves (optional)
Recipe and photo courtesy of Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN, The Plant-Powered Dietitian