In my green curry which I present here, I am using a store bought mock chicken. This is not something I make a habit of, for good reason. It's really not necessary to use in order to make a delicious plant based dish. It's like a rich icing on a cake that you don't really need, and costs a fortune. It is however a nice treat to help me go down memory lane and visit the original green curry dish that I had in Toronto for the first time.
Some vegans would get on my case for using something that mocks chicken, but I know it's not chicken. I understand where they're coming from all the same. Almost nobody here on Hive gets on my case for my food choices but I recently received my second comment that seemed like bullying from a Hiver which really shocked me. I find that Hive has been a pretty friendly place for foodies. Don't get me wrong, if you come at me with a sense of humor, I'll be happy to have a chuckle.
The first person to give me a hard time was vegan. This was someone that can't accept a vegan diet that isn't up to this person's standard. This person commented on one post and reminded me to soak my lentils. That's okay yes. The second comment from the same person was to tell me I shouldn't eat gluten. Then after, they got aggressive while saying I was aggressive. I left it at that.
The other day, I got a comment from someone that told me I would get brain damage if I continue a diet like this. They told me vegans tend to have this problem along with serious aggression. After 7 years I wouldn't know if my brain was different, since I've been a dummy all my life. People that know me would laugh if someone said I was an aggressive person. This person also said that my poop could be used for firewood and a meme saying that vegans could be eaten in an apocalypse. They said I should respect all life including seeds. This is not someone I engage with ever.
I was feeling depressed after this. It was like being back at school and having kids call me names while they threw stones at me. My spirit felt like a tennis ball at a big match only there was no ball boy to retrieve it. I almost thought of not posting food anymore for fear that I may offend more people. Then I talked myself out of it. I enjoy sharing and learning about food ideas. Plus I don't have much more to offer. I wish I could share things about the land around me but it's quite ugly right now. I wish I could share some intelligent adult stuff but I don't have a flipping clue about those things, even at my old age.
Don't get me wrong it's not that this person convinced me of anything they said. It was the unkind nature of the comment like the one before. I myself would never tell someone what to eat. I would suggest things if they asked but only if they asked.
Many of my Hive friends, that I admire and respect, are not eating the same things as I am. Some are full on meat eaters some are extreme fresh organic eaters and many in between.
There are people on Hive that believe in so many different things and come from different cultures, religions and have opposing opinions. Can't we just walk away from a post that we don't like or agree with?
Okay I guess I have unleashed enough. On with Curry.
I usually try to make my own curry pastes. The store bought ones are really good and convenient but if I have time, the fresh home made one is just that much more fragrant and aromatic. I don't use a recipe so I will tell you what I put in.
Green curry paste
10 kaffir lime leaves
2 shallots
1 handful fresh cilantro
15 or 20 green chilies
1 handful Thai basil
1/8 cup galangal root
2 stocks lemon grass
Cut the woody ends off the lemon grass and chop down the rest of the ingredients. Grind it in a machine or mortar and pestle. I add a little lime juice and water to get the blender going.
For the vegetables I used 3 potatoes cubed, 1 fuzzy squash cubed. 1 onion. 4 cloves minced garlic, a few cauliflower florets (I only had a few) and a few small carrots.
I used 1 bag of mushroom based chicken. These are made with shitake and other ingredients. They were flavored as Thai chicken. There is gluten in this as well so forgive me if I am offending someone who is against gluten. I do think a gluten free diet is best for anyone but I do eat it and enjoy it in moderation. I am prepared for your lashings this time.
Brown onions, garlic and ginger then add around 1/2 cup of curry paste.
Fry everything until tender and golden.
Add vegetables and vegan chicken.
Add 3 or 4 cups vegetable stock. Add less stock if you're using a thin coconut milk.
I used a thick coconut cream adding around 2 cups.
Many of you are blessed with coconut trees or markets abundant with coconuts. This would of course be the best choice for flavor and freshness. Our coconuts are difficult to find and crack. They also are not very good. The best coconut choices here, grow on the grocery store shelves.
This curry was spicy and had a good kick but I could have easily added more chilies to the paste. Some like it hot.
To accompany I added Jasmin rice which is my favorite for this kind of dish. I also made a quick salad out of snow peas.
Snow pea salad: A couple handfuls of snow peas very quickly blanched in boiling water(10 seconds or so), shredded carrots, minced red onion, toasted cashews, a drizzle of sesame oil, a squeeze of lime, and salt.
This I kept simple since the curry had so many flavors already.
I like to give an extra squeeze of lime to the entire plate.
The recipe is approximate. I don't measure things so if you are making this you would probably add to suit your own taste. The vegetables I used are what was in my fridge or available in close by stores. I think you could add anything to a green curry and it would be good. Butternut squash or what people call pumpkin in other places, is a good one.
Thank you for stopping by and I wish you all a peaceful day.
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