Nam Prik Ong
Relishes are a cornerstone of Thai cooking, playing a crucial role in the balance of hot, salty, sour, and sweet that Southeast Asian cuisine strives for. The vegetables are traditionally dipped into the relish and then eaten, but you might find it easier to use a plate. Because this dish is quite spicy even with just a few chiles, we suggest using the least amount the first time you make the recipe.
Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr
• Chile paste (without tomatoes) can be made in a mini food processor, scraping down sides occasionally, instead of with a mortar and pestle. • Relish (without fish sauce) can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat relish over moderate heat, stirring, until hot before adding fish sauce.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 servings (as part of larger meal)
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Cut chiles into 1/4-inch pieces with kitchen shears and soak in warm water until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain in a sieve.
Step 2
While chiles soak, blanch beans in a saucepan of boiling salted water 1 minute, then transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain well.
Step 3
Pound chiles, shallots, garlic, salt, shrimp paste, and sugar to a coarse paste with mortar and pestle, about 8 minutes. Transfer half of paste to a small bowl, then add half of tomatoes to mortar and pound until tomatoes begin to break up and form a chunky sauce. Transfer tomato mixture to another bowl and pound remaining chile paste and tomatoes in same manner.
Step 4
Pat pork dry. Heat oil in wok over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook pork, stirring, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced and slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add fish sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute.
Step 5
Serve relish warm or at room temperature with vegetables on the side.
