Authentic Thai Crab Yellow Curry (Poo Pad Pong Karee) Made at Home
The Taste of Thailand, Made Easy! Enjoy Delicious Poo Pad Pong Karee at Home. Make Your Special Day Even More Memorable!
Relive your Thai travel memories! This is an easy-to-make Poo Pad Pong Karee, perfect for enjoying at home during any time. The rich crab meat combined with a smooth, fragrant curry sauce creates a harmonious flavor that will transport you straight to Thailand. You’ll want to make this incredibly delicious and special dish often!
Main Ingredients- 4 Blue Crabs, cleaned (or 200g imitation crab sticks)
- 1/2 Onion
- 2 Potatoes
- A handful of Mushrooms (optional)
- 200ml Milk
- 4 Eggs
Sauce & Seasoning- Curry powder for 4 servings (approx. 80-100g)
- 2 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Cornstarch
- Curry powder for 4 servings (approx. 80-100g)
- 2 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Cornstarch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 4 blue crabs. If you prefer a simpler option, 200g of imitation crab sticks can also be used for a delicious result! (Tip: Using pre-cleaned crab from online grocery services like Kurly makes preparation much faster.)
Step 2
Rinse the crabs thoroughly under cold running water.
Step 3
In a bowl, gently toss the cleaned crabs with 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and 3 Tbsp of cornstarch. This step helps the crab meat become more tender and allows the sauce to adhere beautifully, enhancing the flavor. (If using imitation crab sticks, this step will also elevate the texture and taste!)
Step 4
Peel the 2 potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Slice the 1/2 onion and trim and slice the mushrooms. Heat a pan over medium heat, add a little cooking oil, and stir-fry the prepared vegetables. Sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper as you stir-fry. Cook until the vegetables are slightly softened and translucent.
Step 5
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, pour in 300ml of water. Add the curry powder for 4 servings (about 80-100g) and stir well to dissolve any clumps, ensuring a smooth consistency.
Step 6
Continue to simmer the curry over medium-low heat until it reaches a nicely thickened consistency. You can adjust the amount of liquid or curry powder to achieve your desired thickness.
Step 7
Pour the 200ml of milk into the thickened curry sauce. Add 2 Tbsp of fish sauce, 1 Tbsp of vinegar, and 1 Tbsp of sugar. Stir everything together and bring it back to a simmer over medium heat until well combined. The fish sauce adds umami, while the vinegar and sugar balance the flavors beautifully.
Step 8
While the curry is simmering, push the sauce to one side of the pan to create a clear space. Crack the 4 eggs into this space. As the egg whites begin to set, gently stir them with a chopstick or spatula, incorporating them into the curry sauce. Be careful not to over-mix; you want soft, fluffy curds of egg within the curry.
Step 9
The creamy egg curry is now ready, with the softly cooked eggs beautifully blended into the rich curry sauce.
Step 10
In a separate pan over medium heat, add a generous amount of cooking oil. Place the cornstarch-coated crabs into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides. (Tip: If deep-frying is not preferred, you can cover the pan with a lid while frying to steam the crabs as they fry. This uses less oil and still achieves a nice crispiness.)
Step 11
Covering the pan while frying helps to steam the crabs within, ensuring they cook through while developing a crispy exterior, using less oil. This method also helps reduce oil splatter and results in a cleaner cooking process.
Step 12
(Optional) For an elegant presentation, wrap button mushrooms with bacon, thread them onto skewers with asparagus spears, and prepare as a garnish.
Step 13
Pan-fry the prepared bacon-wrapped mushroom skewers, turning them occasionally until the bacon is nicely browned and crispy.
Step 14
Arrange the perfectly cooked crabs on one side of your serving dish. The enticing aroma alone will make your mouth water!
Step 15
On the other side, generously spoon the thick egg curry. Top with the fried crabs and the optional skewers for a beautiful presentation. Your delicious and visually stunning Poo Pad Pong Karee is complete! Enjoy this luxurious Thai dish right in your own home, perfect for any occasion.
