Coconut Curry Shrimp (Creamy, Thai Red Curry) Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

FAQs

How do restaurants make curry so creamy? ›

The actual sweetness and creaminess of such curries meanwhile, usually comes from fried onions and either cashews and/or dairy products. Instead of (or in addition to) onion, ground coconut may be used. White poppy seeds and/or watermelon seeds are also used in some creamy sauces.

Both coconut cream and milk are staples in Thai cuisine, often used as a base for soups and curries.

Best way to thicken is is to grate a potato or two in there. Potato is delicious in curries and adds creaminess naturally. I also like to turn some dry coconut flakes to powder using a coffee grinder and add it in. It intensifies the coconut flavor and thickens at the same time.

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

Return to pan and add lemon juice plus salt to taste. Now add your chicken and simmer in the curry on medium-low to medium until the chicken is cooked through. Once cooked through, add the heavy whipping cream, then stir.

You should fry the paste briefly in the pan until you can smell all the flavours, then add the coconut milk. If you're using chicken or something, fry that in the paste before adding the coconut milk. Then add things like lime leaves or sliced chilli or bamboo shoots while it's simmering.

It's important to taste your curry before serving, to check the seasoning and intensity. If at that final taste you find your flavors are too intense, too spicy, and even tasting a bit metalic, add in some fresh coconut milk. It will mellow out all the flavors and add a lovely fresh coconut aroma.

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

Is canned coconut milk the same as coconut cream? ›

Coconut cream is the same thing as coconut milk—coconut meat blended with water—but it contains less water. While coconut milk is thin like cow's milk, coconut cream is thick like whipped cream. You can find this fat-rich cream floating on the top of any canned coconut milk, or you can buy it in a dedicated can.

If you prefer to go the coconut-free route (or if you don't have coconut shreds, cream, oil, water, or butter on hand), you can use plain old milk — whichever kind you prefer. Whatever you're making won't have the same flavor as it would with coconut, which may make things like curries taste a little flat.

The light version is produced from the bottom part of centrifuged coconut milk, but it may also consist of regular coconut milk diluted with water. In either case, it's much thinner and lower in fat than regular coconut milk due to its high water content. However, water doesn't contain any protein, carbs, or fats.

Sour cream is yet another dairy product that works well as a thickener in curries and soups! Sour cream has a sweeter, more distinctive flavor than Greek yogurt; it's a better match to the fat content found in coconut milk.

Coconut Milk/ Cream

Coconut is a great ingredient used for thickening curries. It can be used in any form – milk, cream or grated. This method is most suited for Thai, South Indian and other Asian curries.

Onions are the key

Onions form the base of any memorable curry sauce. When cooking onions for curries, use plenty of oil and fry them until they are a rich, deep golden colour for maximum flavour.

Chicken korma is a rich, creamy and very gentle curry brought to India by Moghul invaders and dates back to the 16th century. “Korma” means “braise” in Urdu and this dish is meat cooked gently in yoghurt so that the curds don't split.