Thai Yellow Curry with Vegetables and Tofu

Serves 4

by Robert Danhi
from Fine Cooking
Issue 110
Last Edit Date: 3/3/2011 11:47:20 AM

This meatless curry is bursting with a rainbow of colorful vegetables and a range of textures, from crunchy bell peppers to soft tofu.

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more about:

1 (13.5- to 14-oz.) can coconut milk
1/4 cup yellow curry paste
1 cup lower-salt chicken broth, or homemade chicken or vegetable broth
2 Tbs. light brown sugar or light brown palm sugar; more as needed
1 tsp. fish sauce; more as needed
3/4 cup bite-size green bean pieces
3/4 cup sliced onions (1/2-inch-thick slices)
3 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed, bruised, and cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces
6 whole fresh or thawed frozen wild lime leaves (or substitute 1 tsp. finely grated lime zest)
14 oz. extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into bite-size pieces
3/4 cup diced bell peppers (red, orange, or yellow)
3/4 cup oyster mushrooms, pulled apart into bite-size pieces
3/4 cup loosely packed fresh Italian or Thai basil leaves
Lime wedges, for garnish

Shake the can of coconut milk or stir it well (this creates a consistent thickness, since the fat often solidifies at the top of the can).

In a 3- to 4-quart saucepan or wok over medium heat, simmer 1/2 cup of the coconut milk, stirring occasionally, until reduced by about half, 3 to 5 minutes. It will get very thick and shiny and may or may not separate; either is fine.

Add the curry paste, whisk well, and cook, continuing to whisk, for 1 minute. Whisk in the broth, sugar, fish sauce, and remaining coconut milk. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Add the green beans, onions, lemongrass, and lime leaves and continue to simmer, adjusting the heat as necessary.

After 2 minutes, add the tofu, bell peppers, and oyster mushrooms and continue to simmer until everything is tender and cooked through, about 3 more minutes.

Remove the curry from the heat. Season to taste with more sugar and fish sauce and stir in the basil. Transfer to a serving bowl (or serve right out of the pot). Remove the lemongrass and lime leaves or tell your guests to eat around them. Garnish with the lime wedges.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 420; Fat (g): 30; Fat Calories (kcal): 270; Saturated Fat (g): 20; Protein (g): 21; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 3; Carbohydrates (g): 25; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 5; Sodium (mg): 1120; Cholesterol (mg): 0; Fiber (g): 7;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by maryflaum, 2/12/2013this turned out fantastic! I did add peas & cauliflower and doubled the amount of green beans. I will make this again asap! My husband said "it's the best curry you've ever made" Thanks Robert Danhi for a great recipe

by steffkelsey, 3/14/2012Was great! Spent some time drying the tofu by cubing it and letting it sit on a bed of paper towels in the fridge overnight. It ended up being so soft and flavorful. Had to use red curry paste because that was all I could find at the store. Was not too hot with 1/4 of curry paste. Served with some homemade buckwheat pasta. Everyone raved!

by Abigail1, 2/24/2012This was so hot we couldn't eat it without rinsing it; 1/4 cup of curry should probably be 1 tablespooon--you can always add more~