Spicy Basil Beef (Pad Krapow)

Classic Thai street food

Category
Dinner
Cuisine
Asian
Serves
4 servings
Time
1 minutes
From
Food Network

basilbeef

Adapted from: https://www.foodnetwork.com/fnk/recipes/spicy-basil-beef-pad-krapow-7963965

Be careful with the soy and fish sauces, as it can easily get too salty

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) sweet soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) oyster sauce
  • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) chili paste in soybean oil
  • 6 tablespoons (45 milliliters) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups (720 grams) lean ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to 3 serrano or Thai chiles, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups (335 grams) Thai basil leaves, picked off the stem
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine the sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce and chili paste in a small bowl and reserve.
  2. Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat and add 3 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. Crack one egg into the wok and allow the bottom to crisp for a couple of seconds, while keeping the pan moving, then baste until the top of the egg is mostly white, about 1 minute. Set aside on a paper-towel-lined plate, and then fry the second egg. Hold both eggs on the plate until ready to serve.
  3. Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. When wisps of white smoke appear, add the ground beef, flattening against the pan, and cook undisturbed for about 45 seconds. The beef will start to brown; turn over once, press flat against the pan and cook for another 30 seconds.
  4. Add garlic and chilies. Cook them until the garlic starts to brown, about 30 seconds.
  5. Add the onion. Break up the meat into gravel-size pieces and drain any excess liquid.
  6. Stir in the bell pepper and stir-fry for about a minute.
  7. Add the reserved sauce to the wok and combine the ingredients thoroughly for about 1 minute.
  8. Add the Thai basil and cook until the beef is thoroughly cooked and onions are slightly tender. Finish with white pepper.
  9. Transfer to a platter and top with the reserved fried eggs.

Notes

  • Many jars of chilli paste with garlic can beverysalty, so test before using. You can replace with your favourite hot sauce or chilli powder
  • I prefer to cook the onions and peppers before cooking the beef. Remove and set aside before adding the beef, then add back in once the beef is ready