Improvised food-craving substitutes

[AndJusticeForSome]

Inspired by this awesome thread started by underpants [https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=1227994]

wherein folks are describing "weird" food combos they eat, it seems that many of the combos actually make culinary sense.

So I thought, let's try to reverse engineer some of those dishes that typically take either time or ingredients that may not be on hand, or you can't go buy the restaurant version, but that you have a mighty strong hankering for.

For example, someone mentioned combining peanut butter and chili, and I thought that might just satisfy a craving for kung pao beef. Toss some green onions in and that might really work.

Lately I've been desperately craving Thai Pumpkin Red Curry, but can't afford to go to my fave Thai place. How might I easily improvise those flavors with standard pantry items?

Ideas?

[Kali]

1. I don't know what is normally in that (too much coconut and peanuts in Thai food for my tastes) but

I always have curry powder in the spice rack, usually a can of pumpkin left from holidays lingering in the cupboard and oddly (since I don't care for it except in pina coladas) there is an old can of coconut milk in there too. always have some kind of rice.

what else do you need in there? some random vegetables? what makes it red? chiles or paprika? got that. peanuts or peanut butter? usually have some around.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

2. Buy a can of red curry paste.

Not sure what sort of Asian grocers you have in your area, but red curry paste is pretty common.

Here’s a great curry recipe, just sub the chicken with pumpkin.

https://thewoksoflife.com/red-curry-chicken/

Also, that website has been an invaluable resource in my quest for tasty Chinese and Thai cuisine.

[mr_lebowski]

3. Hot Thai Kitchen vids on youtube are great ... and the hostess is ... the mostest ...

[Dr Hobbitstein]

4. I'll have to check that one out. Thanks! nt

[mercuryblues]

5. substitute

https://www.thaitable.com/thai/recipe/vegetarian-pumpkin-curry

You can substitute the kaffir lime leaves with some lime zest and add a little lemon zest if you have it.

Pumpkin is out of season. You can try canned pumpkin or sweet potato. If you go the sweet potato route, nuke or bake it a little bit 1st.

The direction call for the pumpkin added and simmer for 15 minutes. So you want the sweet potato cooked enough to finish cooking in those 15 minutes.

here's a recipe for making your own curry paste

https://oureverydaylife.com/cooking-substitutions-thai-red-curry-paste-43201.html

[Me.]

6. Google Really Is Your Friend Here

as there as recipes/copycat recipes for all fave food. I made Taco Bell Quesadillas that were spot on. Below is a link to about 10 recipes for the curry

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial_s&hl=en&ei=6nwFXYqGAa6E5wLAy4iwDQ&q=thai+pumpkin+red+curry+recipe&oq=Thai+Pumpkin+Red+Curry%2C&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0j0i22i30l9.3528.7246..9928...0.0..0.172.172.0j1......0....1j2..gws-wiz.....0..0i71.Tlur7rQy-SI