Thod man Pla

Does anyone like Thai food? Close your eyes for a moment and try to conjure the tastes of Thai food... what comes to your mind? For me, it's the whirlwind sensation of hot spicy chilli and sour tamarind, with high notes of spices such as coriander, lime leaf, and lemongrass. With seafood. Yes, seafood is excellent cooked Thai style, it just goes so well with the myriad of spices used for Thai dishes. 

Thod man pla is one of my favourites. They are magical little morsels of golden, deep fried fish cakes infused with chopped coriander and chilies. On my last trip to Bangkok a few years ago, I snacked on them wherever we went, they are so addictive! (that, and som tum - the green papaya salad. Truly yummy with a capital Y). 

This time, I'm attempting to make my own thod man pla, and it's relatively easy (especially if you cheat and use ready made curry paste, which is what I did, heheheh..). Eaten with hot & sour dipping sauce, it didn't last long at all!

THOD MAN PLA - serves 2

150 g firm, white fish fillet (I used blue spotted cod), de-boned & minced.

1 tbsp rice flour

1small egg, beaten

5-6 pcs stringless green beans, chop thinly

1 1/2 stalk spring onion, chop finely

1 1/2 tsp red curry paste - ready made

1/2 tbsp fish sauce

2 stalks coriander, chop finely (use stalks for dipping sauce)

1/2 red chilli, de-seeded & chop finely

1/2 tsp raw sugar

Oil, for frying

Method:

1. Blend together minced fish, egg & flour.
2. Add in green beans, spring onion, coriander & chili. 
3. Stir in curry paste, sugar & fish sauce. Add a little salt if preferred.
4. Mould the batter into round patties of medium thickness. (see picture)
5. Heat oil in frying pan & deep fry these patties until golden brown & firm to the touch.

NAAM PHRIK (Dipping sauce):

1/2 red chili, de-seeded & chop finely

10 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp white vinegar

2 tsp brown sugar

1 clove garlic, minced *optional

1 lebanese cucumber, slice thinly

Method:

1. Put together chili & garlic, toss it into a frying pan without oil until fragrant. Turn off the stove.
2. Mix in vinegar, fish sauce and brown sugar. Add a little water if preferred. 
3. Place sliced cucumbers in a prepared sauce dish & pour the dipping sauce on top.
4. Garnish with a stalk of coriander.

I forgot the garnish =O