::Ingredient
- 450 g. Tilapia Filets - Fresh tilipa is best
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 3 tbsp red curry paste
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 1/2 cup long green beans or Chinese long beans, diced small
- 1/3 cup Thai basil or holy basil, sliced into ribbons if large
- 5 kaffir lime leaves (makrut lime leaves), finely julienned
- 1 tsp fish sauce, as needed
- 1 Persian or cocktail cucumber
- 1 Tbsp shallot or red onion, diced fine
- 1 Tsp white vinegar
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 Tbsp crushed peanuts
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 spur chili (or another type of big red chili pepper that's not ot spicy thai chilies to taste, optional)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup white vinegar, cane vinegar, or rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp water
- or add cucumber slices for serving (as your like)
- or add roasted crushed peanuts, sliced shallots (as your like)
- For the fish cakes (Tod mun pla)
- Combine tilapia filets, red curry paste, egg yolk and in a plam sugar food processor. Process until fine, scraping the sides as needed.
- Then keep processing for a few minutes longer until the fish is firm enough that it holds its shape well when spooned.
- If this is your first time, cook up a bit of the mixture to taste for salt and spiciness.
- If you want a stronger curry flavour or more spiciness, add more curry paste, keeping in mind that that also adds more saltiness.
- If you just want more saltiness, add a little fish sauce.
- Transfer the fish paste into a mixing bowl and add chopped long beans, Thai basil, and kaffir lime leaves; stir until well combined.
- Get your station ready by having a bowl of cold water and some paper towels (for your hands) by the stove.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot, then add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. Wet your hands and a tablespoon in the cold water, then scoop a heaping tablespoon of fish paste with the wet spoon and place in your hands.
- Gently pat the fish cakes to form into patties and place in a preheated skillet. Fry until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. You may need to add more oil as you go.
- For dipping sauce 1
- The base of the dipping sauce for Tod Mun Pla is sweet chili sauce.
- I prefer to use a bottled one because it's easier.
- Then add some diced cucumber, sliced shallots or red onion, a little vinegar, and top with some crushed peanuts.
- For dipping sauce 2
- Place both chilies, garlic, vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a blender and blend just until there are no more chunks.
- I like to use low speed to blend so I still have chili seeds and chili pieces for a nicer visual.
- Pour the blended chilies into a small pot and bring to a simmer, then simmer for about 3-5 minutes or until it has a consistency of a thin syrup.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools, so if it is too thick once it is cool, you can add more water. Set aside until ready to use.