Andy Ricker's Phat Khanaeng (Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts) From 'Pok Pok'

By
Kate Williams
Kate Itrich-Williams is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kate Itrich-Williams is a food writer, editor, and recipe developer who wrote the "Cook the Book" column for Serious Eats.
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Updated April 03, 2019
Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts
Austin Bush

I was surprised to see a recipe calling for Brussels sprouts in Andy Ricker's new Pok Pok cookbook. Brussels sprouts aren't Thai, are they? As it turns out, Ricker has spotted a similar vegetable (a cross between Brussels sprouts and bok choy) in stir fries in Northern Thailand. He prepares them simply, in a Chinese-Thai hybrid of a sauce made with oyster and fish sauces. The result is a sweet, salty, and spicy dish that'd fit in with just about any spread of seasonal dishes—Thai or otherwise.

Why I picked this recipe: Thai-style Brussels sprouts? Had to try 'em,

What worked: This dish was the easiest I made this week. But, between the pungent chiles and garlic and the funky mix of oyster and fish sauce, it was certainly no less flavorful than the more complex dishes.

What didn't: Nothing.

Suggested tweaks: You could stir-fry just about any vegetable using this sauce and method. You'll want to blanch heartier vegetables like the Brussels before stir-frying.

Reprinted with permission from Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand by Andy Ricker with JJ Goode. Copyright 2013. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.

Recipe Details

Andy Ricker's Phat Khanaeng (Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts) From 'Pok Pok'

Active 30 mins
Total 30 mins
Serves 2 to 6 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces Brussels sprouts, bottoms trimmed, outer leaves removed, halved lengthwise (about 2 cups)

  • Kosher salt

  • 2 tablespoons Thai oyster sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Thai fish sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Thai thin soy sauce

  • Small pinch ground white pepper

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 11g peeled garlic cloves, halved lengthwise and lightly crushed into small pieces in a mortar (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 6g fresh Thai chiles (about 4), preferably red, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup Sup Kraduuk Muu (pork stock) or water

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Briefly cook the Brussels sprouts: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add enough salt to make it taste slightly salty. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook just until they’re no longer raw but still crunchy, 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on their size. Drain them well. If you’re not stir-frying them right away, shock them in ice water.

  2. Stir-fry and serve the dish: Combine the oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper in a small bowl and stir well.

  3. Heat a wok over very high heat, add the oil, and swirl it in the wok to coat the sides. When it begins to smoke lightly, add the garlic, take the wok off the heat, and let the garlic sizzle, stirring often, until it’s fragrant but not colored, about 15 seconds.

  4. Put the wok back on the heat, and add the Brussels sprouts and chiles. Stir-fry (constantly stirring, scooping, and flipping the ingredients) for 30 seconds to infuse the sprouts with the garlic flavor. Add the oyster sauce mixture (plus a splash of water, if necessary, to make sure nothing’s left behind in the bowl), and stir-fry until the Brussels sprouts are tender but still crunchy and the liquid in the pan has almost completely evaporated, about 45 seconds.

  5. Add the stock, then add the sugar and stir-fry until the Brussels sprouts are tender with a slight crunch and the sauce has thickened slightly but is still very liquidy, about 30 seconds. Transfer the vegetables and sauce to a plate in a low mound, and serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
68Calories
5gFat
6gCarbs
2gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories68
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g6%
Saturated Fat 0g2%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 374mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 6g2%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 31mg157%
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 189mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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