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Thai cuisine is renowned for its vibrant and diverse flavors. One dish that stands out is Thai basil stir-fried frog legs. This recipe offers a tantalizing blend of aromatic Thai basil, savory seasonings, and tender frog meat, creating a delicious and healthy meal. Let's delve into the nuances of this flavorful dish and learn how to create it at home.
Background content: Froglegs are a commonly found ingredient all over Thailand, year long due to the tropical climate.
Jump to:
- What are Thai basil stir-fried frog legs?
- Health Benefits of Thai Basil Stir-fried Frog Legs
- Ingredients
- Step-by-step Cooking Instructions
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage
- Top tip
- Health Benefits
- Thai Cuisine Influence
- Flavors and Aromas
- Thai Basil Importance
- Sustainability of Using Frog Legs
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Thai Basil Stir-fried Frog Legs
- Food safety
- More Stir-fried Recipes;
What are Thai basil stir-fried frog legs?
Thai basil stir-fried frog legs is a popular Thai dish known for its unique blend of flavors. It combines the delicate taste of frog legs with the aromatic essence of Thai basil, creating a savory and herbaceous delight.
Health Benefits of Thai Basil Stir-fried Frog Legs
The nutritional value of frog legs makes them an excellent source of protein and essential nutrients. They are low in fat and high in potassium and omega-3 fatty acids, promoting heart health and providing an energy boost.
Ingredients
To create this dish, gather:
- fresh frog legs
- Thai basil leaves
- ingredient 3
- garlic
- oyster sauce
- fish sauce
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- sugar, honey or low-calorie sweetener
- a healthy cooking oil like canola oil
See the recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-step Cooking Instructions
First, gather all the equipment and prepare the ingredients so everything goes smoothly once you start.
- Clean the frog legs thoroughly and pat them dry.
- Chop garlic finely.
- Heat the Wok at medium-high heat and add the oil
4. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and sauté until browned.
5. Place the frog legs in the wok, spaced apart, and stir-fry until cooked.
Add the Thai Basil and oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar, and Stir-Fry together until the basil wilts and flavors blend.
Serve with, or on healthy, whole-grain rice.
Hint: My Thai mother-in-law says the trick to a good stir-fry is to always start with the wok really really hot.
Substitutions
If you're not into frog legs, go for whatever protein you like here.
- Thai basil - instead of Thai basil you can use regular basil.
- Fish Sauce - if you're not into the fishy flavor fish sauce brings, just leave it out. Maybe use hoisin sauce or more low-sodium soy sauce. You can also use liquid aminos as a healthy alternative as long as you are paying attention to sodium content.
- Vegetarian - tofu, chickpeas, or something like Beyond Meat are good vegan proteins and leave out the fish sauce.
Variations
Giving the visitor ideas on how they can change this recipe to better suit their dinner guests or their cultural cuisine, is a great way to increase the chances they make the recipe
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish.
- Deluxe - add shallots, crispy onions, or fried garlic and or shallots.
- Kid-friendly - add crushed potato chips and or bacon bits!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Stone bakeware takes longer to heat up than metal pans, and also retains heat for longer, which could make the recipe more watery, or burnt on the outsides.
To prepare Thai basil stir-fried frog legs, you'll need basic kitchen tools: a pan, cutting board, knife, and stirring utensils. We like a high-quality Wok, like this Kenmore Hammered Steel Wok I found on Amazon.
Storage
Refrigerated should be good for 2-3 days, covered.
These ingredients do/don't stand up well to freezing for a couple of weeks. When in doubt, throw it out.
Top tip
So you don't end up feeling a little froggy🐸, you're going to want to get the freshest possible frog legs and cook ASAP. Ensure the frog legs are thoroughly cleaned before cooking. Adjust the seasoning as per personal taste for an enhanced dining experience.
Health Benefits
Apart from being a good source of protein, frog legs are also rich in vitamins and minerals, contributing to bone health and supporting the immune system.
Thai Cuisine Influence
Thai basil stir-fried frog legs encapsulate the essence of Thai cuisine. The dish embodies the bold and aromatic flavors that Thai food is renowned for, making it a standout delicacy.
Flavors and Aromas
The aromatic blend of Thai basil, along with the savory flavors of garlic and shallots, infuse the frog legs with a distinct and appetizing taste.
Thai Basil Importance
Thai basil is a crucial ingredient in this recipe, adding a distinctive aroma and flavor that elevates the entire dish.
Sustainability of Using Frog Legs
Using frog legs as a culinary choice aligns with sustainability as these are often sourced in an environmentally responsible manner.
FAQ
Frog legs are a lean source of protein and offer essential nutrients, making them a healthy choice when prepared in a balanced manner.
While the recipe's uniqueness lies in using frog legs, chicken or tofu can be substituted for a different culinary experience.
The preparation time is around 30 minutes, making it a quick and convenient recipe.
Fresh frog legs are available in some specialty grocery stores or from sustainable suppliers. Believe it or not, we found these at Kroger on sale.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Easy Copycat Genghis Grill Thai Veggie Bowl Recipe, ผัดผักรวมเจ
- Thai Mom's Stir-fried Morning Glory, Water Spinach Recipe, ผัดผักบุ้งผักโขม
- Thai Mom's Super Simple and Easy Stir-fried Broccoli and Chicken Recipe (ผัดบรอกโคลีและไก่อย่างง่าย)
- Easy, Healthy, 7 Ingredient Copycat Panda 🐼 Express Super Greens Recipe 🥬
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Thai Basil Stir-fried Frog Legs
Equipment
- 1 Wok
Ingredients
- 1 pound frog legs
- 2 cups Thai basil leaves Leaves separated
- 2 tablespoon Garlic Fresh and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Low sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Canola Oil
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
Instructions
- Clean the frog legs thoroughly and pat them dry.
- Chop the garlic finely.
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic.
- Add frog legs and stir-fry until cooked.
- Add Thai basil, oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.
- Stir-fry until the basil wilts and flavors blend.
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
We sometimes take for granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not.
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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