Foodbuzz 24×24: Thai Red Curry & Lychee Smoothie

thai red curry

The theme for this month’s Foodbuzz 24 x 24 is cooking on a budget with kitchen staples and pantry items.  We are excited to share some easy and affordable recipes to whip together when you’re in a pinch.  You can create a delicious Thai inspired meal using some common ingredients found in your fridge and pantry such as potatoes, garlic, frozen peas, chicken and a little help from a jarred Thai red curry sauce.  Our pantry is usually stocked with a jar or two of Trader Joe’s Thai Red Curry sauce.  It’s flavorful and it’s at a fraction of going  out to eat.  The sauce is about 2 dollars – a steal!  Derrick and I both work full time and this is a dish we often make when we’re both tired after a long day at work.  We then pack the left overs for lunch the next day.

You can add any vegetables or protein that you have on hand.  The ingredient list may look long, but it just some items that I found in my kitchen.  Feel free to substitute the ingredients or leave out the the ones that you don’t have. I’ve packed a lot of vegetables in this dish so it’s not as saucy as a traditional Thai curry, but it’s still satisfying and great served with rice.  The addition of zucchinis and toasted coconut reminds me of The Cheesecake Factory’s popular Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp dish. YUM!

A meal isn’t complete without dessert, so we’re going to a make tropical Asian smoothie using canned lychees, vanilla ice cream and a splash of coconut milk.  It’s the perfect way to end the meal.

thai red curry collage

Use whatever vegetables (frozen or fresh that you may have) - carrots, green beans or even tofu would be great too!

*Tip – ginger stores well in the fridge and can even be frozen for later use.  It’s great to keep on hand for a fresh pop of flavor.

lychee smoothie

Vanilla ice cream, lychee and coconut milk - a creamy and sweet drink & dessert!

 

lychee smoothie collage

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

10 comments

  1. Bianca @ South Bay Rants n Raves says:

    First of all I’m a dork & thought you were putting curry in a smoothie when I first read the title! Second, I do love dishes that you can throw together so quickly & are adaptable to what you have on hand. I’ll give it a try but may change the sauce though since I’m a wuss!

    The lychee smoothie looks refreshing & a good end to this meal.

  2. Sara says:

    Love Trader Joe’s sauces! Great reminder that delicous meals don’t have to require alot of upfront planning- just use whatever ingredients you have on hand/prefer and make it your own.

  3. amee says:

    omg. you put so much of what i love all in 1 post! sensory overload. i ALWAYS order thai red curry when we get thai. and i LOVE lychee anything. on a side note, i have made mango sticky rice, but i’d like to see a recipe from you on that if you have one.

  4. Anna says:

    Hey Bianca! You were not the only one who thought that was the case…LOL! Anyway, love the lychee smoothie…have to make one since summer will bid goodbye pretty soon…

  5. kitchenrunway says:

    Notyet100: Thank you!!

    Bianca @ South Bay Rants & Raves: Hmm….I haven’t thought of adding curry to a smoothie… not sure about that one 🙂 I love simple meals that you can throw together last minute too!

    Sara: Yes – it’s a great way to use up ingredients that you have on hand!

    Renee Fontes: Thank you!! Yes – easy pea-sy!

    Brooke @ Food Woolf: Thanks!!

    Amee: 🙂 mmmmmmmmmmmmmm mango sticky rice yum!!

    Anna: hee,hee gotta think of better titles next time! Good thing is with canned lychees you can enjoy this all year round!

Leave a Reply