Pencil&Spoon

Lisa · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

I'm planning to cook a 3 course meal on saturday night. The main course is going to be a Thai green curry made from scratch.
Problem is what should I do for Starter and dessert?
For starter I would like something that compliments the dish, And for sessert nothing too heavy.
What would you advise?
Thank you Very Happy

Mark · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Lisa,

I love Thai green curry, it's a great dish! If I am serving this then I want something light and zingy to start and something uplifting and refreshing to finish.

I would cook some lovely seafood to start - prawns, scallops or squid - and serve it with a light mango salsa and some crisp, green leaves. This would be a really light but delicious beginning, and the spice in the salsa with prepare your palate for the main course. To make the salsa, chop up a mange into very small pieces, 5mm or so, and chop a red chilli the same size, place these in a bowl with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and a pinch of sugar, then when the fish is cooked just serve on top, or next to it. Even better, get some chicory and separate the leaves which become small spoons and heap on the fish-salsa mix and eat with your fingers. Also, have a look at my Salt and Pepper Squid recipe, on a bed of salad that would be great. A satay would be another good starter, place a few tablespoon's of peanut butter, a dash of milk, juice of half a lime, 1/2 a garlic clove and a teaspoon of honey into a pan and heat gently - adjusting the seasoning and adding spice if you want it. Serve this with your choice of meat or veg - this goes great with some thin strips of chicken (marinaded in garlic, ginger, sesame oil, chilli and lime juice for an hour or so first), quickly fried or grilled, and is even better if the chicken is cooked on a skewer!

For dessert I am instantly tempted to say to buy a big tub of your favourite ice cream and just serve that - it will be nice and cold after the spicy curry, and your tongue will appreciate the chill! Maybe serve this with a little fruit, some melted chocolate or a winter berry sauce made by cooking some berries with a few pinches of sugar or honey until soft. For something a little more in keeping with the other courses then maybe just serve a few slices of ultra-ripe mango - nothing beats a good mango in my mind! A panna cotta could be another dessert choice and it can be flavoured in many different ways - coconut would be great! Take a can of coconut milk, 1/2 pint of normal milk, 50g or caster sugar, a vanilla pod or tbsp of essence and a 12g sachet of gelatin. Warm the milks, vanilla and sugar in a pan until boiling, then remove from the heat. Take a small amount pf the milk-mix and add the gelatin to it, once it is all dissolved pour back with the rest of the milk, then separate into small ramekins then refigerate for at least 4 hours and preferably more. This would be great with some mango or roast banana on the side.

I hope this helps, let me know how you get on Very Happy

Lisa · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Love the idea of prawns to start, one of my favorites! Even better the satay, my other favorite!
Thank you very much mark! I'll let you know how it goes! Very Happy