Simple Thai Satay Recipe

Believed to have originated from Java, Indonesia, satay is a popular delicacy throughout Southeast Asia including, but not exclusive to, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. The dish consists of small pieces of meat, skewered and barbecued . A peanut-flavoured sauce often accompanies the delicious cuisine. Satay is a sought after street food in Thailand where the meat is marinated in a Thai paste . The flavoursome recipe is the focus of our blog where we reveal a simple recipe to get your tastebuds tingling!

What Meat Features in Thai Satay?

In Thailand, the meat used for satay is usually pork , although chicken and beef can also be used as well as other meat substitutes such as tofu. However, with authenticity in mind, our recipe will feature pork.

Top Tips

As you create your Thai satay, there are a few hints and tips which can help you get the ultimate flavour from your recipe.

Taste as You Go

Ideally, you want to be tasting throughout the cooking process . By doing this, you can regulate the most suitable flavours for you. Areas to particularly focus on include the addition of:• Red curry paste• Sugar• Fish sauce • Lime and tamarind water

Marinate for Taste

Where you can, it’s best to marinate the meat for one day so it bursts with flavour. If you require a speedier cooking experience, it is recommended to let the meat marinate for at least two hours . The longer you leave the meat to marinate, the tastier it will be!

Ingredients

For the skewers , you will need:• The skewers themselves• 1 lb pork loin chopped into 2-cm-thick pieces (alternatively, you can use chicken or beef)• 59 ml of coconut milk

Marinade Ingredients

• 1.5 tsp toasted coriander seeds• 0.5 tsp toasted cumin seeds• 0.25 tsp white peppercorns• 1 tbsp chopped lemongrass• 1 tsp minced galangal• 1 tsp fresh turmeric (for powdered turmeric use 0.5 tsp)• 2 tsp brown sugar• 0.5 tsp salt• 0.5 tbsp white vinegar or rice wine vinegar• 79 ml of coconut milk• 59 ml of water• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon• 1/8 tsp ground clove

Peanut Sauce Ingredients

• 2 tbsp red curry paste (alternatively, you can also use massaman curry paste or Panang curry paste)• 296 ml of coconut milk• 118 ml roasted peanuts• 2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds (can use peanuts instead)• 1 to 2 tsp fish sauce (depending on preference)• 2 tbsp palm sugar• 2-3 tbsp tamarind juice

Method

Start by cutting the pork chops into around ¼-inch pieces to be placed onto a skewer.

Create the Marinade

Next, turn your attention to the marinade . Start by grinding the cumin seeds, coriander and white peppercorns with a mortar and pestle until you create a fine consistency.Then, add the lemongrass, turmeric and galangal and pound the mixture until fine . Mix in the cinnamon, brown sugar, salt, vinegar, clove, water and coconut milk and stir .Pour the marinade over the pork and massage the meat with the mixture. Ensure no pieces of meat are stuck to one another and put in the fridge for two hours or, ideally, overnight .

Create the Peanut Sauce

Start by grinding the peanuts in a food processor . Next, hand grind the sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle, making sure not to make a sesame butter by over grinding. Next, turn the hob onto a medium heat and add half of the coconut milk for the peanut sauce to the pot.Mix in the curry paste, continually stirring for two minutes . Reduce the heat to medium-low for this part.Once the mixture is thick , add the rest of the coconut milk, ground sesame seeds, ground peanuts, palm sugar, fish sauce and tamarind juice.Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes until it reaches a thick consistency .Try to prevent the bottom from scorching by continuously stirring the mixture . Adjust the taste as needed, paying attention to tamarind juice, sugar and fish sauce.

Cook the Pork

Once the pork has been sufficiently marinated, it is time to grill it !Depending on the weather, you can grill the skewers on the grill setting of your oven or a barbecue ! If using a cooker, the grill needs to be preheated to medium.Pop the meat onto the skewers, around three pieces to one skewer. Lie the skewers flat on a cooking tray and brush the meat over with coconut milk.Place the skewers on the grill, with the coconut milk side on the bottom. Then brush the remaining side with more coconut milk and allow to grill for around one minute .Once the meat is half cooked, turn the skewer over until the meat is entirely cooked. It is a rapid process, so make sure to keep an eye on them as they grill.

To Complete the Dish

Serve with toast cut into small squares and an ajad sauce as a palate cleanser between bites. Hopefully, you have enjoyed our recipe and feel prepared to create some delicious Thai satay. If you require some of the ingredients featured, browse through our website where we provide a whole host of Asian foods, including Thai food online .