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Thai Style 'Bolognese' Spaghetti

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 | Labels: , , , |

I know it has not been that long ago that I just featured the classic spaghetti bolognese  but I just could not resist making a Thai version of sorts, hence culminating in today's post.  As a self-confessed noodle fiend I guess my recent frequent noodle posts should come as no surprise eh? Anyhow, I know I've been displaying a penchant for fusion foods lately as I have been so excited to discover that Thai spices seem to be very versatile and add just enough of a twist to otherwise classic Western dishes.  For my Thai bolognese today, I used Thai basil, shallots and a little lemongrass to flavour the sauce, oh and not forgetting the small handful of bird's eye chilli peppers thrown in for added heat.  In addition, instead of using tomato paste as is traditional, I used a Thai sauce (from Yuen Chun) which has spicy, sweet and slightly tangy flavours, you can probably find this in most Asian grocery stores.  If you are unable to find Thai basil, you can substitute with Italian basil where the latter is slightly milder in flavour so feel free to be more generous with the portion used and also have fun experimenting with different spices in your kitchen. 

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In other news, I have been reading about how food bloggers have been receiving a especially restaurant reviewers have been receiving lot of flak from say print-media journalists, chefs, restaurants etc and like many others, I do find the phenomenon interesting.  I guess if you 'put yourself out there' for lack of a better description (I know that phrase is badly overused), criticism is bound to come and you obviously can't expect everything to be positive however I think that readers should be able to judge for themselves and obviously the onus is not on the blogger entirely.  I guess I'm 'safer' in a way since I just feature recipes for home cooking and despite the rude comments that come in now and then, my blogging experience has been nothing short of fun and inspirational.  By the way, I shall disclose though that I usually delete rude comments immediately :O.  Update: I may have spoke too soon! I entered one of these photos for a spaghetti contest here and there you are, one of the rudest (and rather childish what with the 'ewww') comments I've seen.  Anyway, open contests seem to be breeding ground for rude commenters, this is not the first rude comment I've seen on these contests and I'm sure it will not be the last.  Funny how rude commenters are never the participants...boggles the mind...oh well :O
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This post is part of my range of Yuen Chun Recipes, an ongoing project on this blog.

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Serves 4

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Ingredients:

1 packet of spaghetti
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup of Thai basil leaves, rinsed quickly
1 stalk lemongrass (only white parts - smashed)
3-4 bird's eye chilli peppers, sliced (seeded if you want less heat)
3 cloves garlic, smashed
4 shallots, sliced
4 whole canned tomatoes
6 tbsps Thai stir-fry sauce
4 tbsps ketchup (add more if desired)
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
Dash of freshly ground black pepper (optional)

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Method:

Cook the sauce first as it will need time to simmer and also it can be reheated when your pasta is ready. 

Heat up a pan and add about 2 tbsps cooking oil.  Once hot, add in the onions, garlic and chilli peppers and saute until aromatic.  Add the ground pork and stir-fry until lightly browned.  Add in the basil leaves and lemongrass.  Add the tomatoes including the liquid and bring to a boil.

Turn heat to low and add the Thai sauce and ketchup.  Bring to a boil again.  Add the salt and sugar.  Remove lemongrass and discard.  Turn heat to low and allow to simmer half-covered for about 20 minutes.  Add the parmesan cheese.  Do a taste test and add more ketchup or salt if desired.

Cook the pasta according to package instructions until 'al dente'.  Drain and set aside.

Serve the pasta and sauce at the table with extra salt and black pepper on the side for guests to season according to individual preferences.  Reheat the sauce if necessary of course.

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22 comments:

Pei-Lin said...

Ah, I just had some French-style pasta for lunch ... You're serving me another plate of noodles here, but it looks good and I ain't gonna say no.

It's your blog. Just do what you want and that pleases here. Don't worry!

food-4tots said...

I agree with Pei Lin. You don't have to bother with those nasty comments. I did receive some ridiculous comments too and will usually send them into the trash bin. lol!  Your dish reminds me of the one I had at Secret Recipe but yours is so much better especially topped with fresh basil leaves. ;)

kristy wong said...

Oh how lovely to use Yuen Chuan sauce on this too. Thanks for sharing. I like it simple and quick.
Have a lovely evening.
Kristy

Wokette said...

I never cooked with lemongrass before, but I love the flavor.  Looks amazing!

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

Thanks LK! I used to get worked up too but now just hit delete :) Thanks for the support hehe

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

Thanks Kristy! Hope you are too :)

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

Thanks wokette! I only left the lemongrass in for a bit as I didn't want it to overwhelm the rest of the flavours but it was good...:)

TasteHongKong said...

Then I don't have to be torn between a classic spaghetti or a thai noodles : ).

Nami @ Just One Cookbook said...

Jen, when you make noodles next time, please invite me.  ALL of your noodle recipes are really good.  You like it that's why you are very good making it with your passion!  I saw this post earlier from my iPhone while my son was in swimming lesson.  I couldn't wait to see again from a big computer screen!  LOL.  I love Thai style.  Lemongrass and Thai basil!  I love it!!!!!!!!!

tigerfish said...

I like this twist you have for spaghetti bolognese. I am thinking now that there is no "bolognese" I do not like.

Yes. It is your blog and your food - we can't please everybody.

tigerfish said...

I like this twist you have for spaghetti bolognese. I am thinking now that there is no "bolognese" I do not like.

Yes. It is your blog and your food - we can't please everybody.

Christine@Christine's Recipes said...

Amazing! Love how you twist the classic classic spaghetti bolognese with thai sauce. Actually, western noodles with Asian touch are more attractive to me!!!

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Love this thai spin on such a western classic =D

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

haha Nami, you're so cute! I wish I could invite you trust me, we could cook and eat to our heart's content :D 

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

good point haha

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

thanks! yup, we can't for sure

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

thanks! :)

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

thanks!

Jeannie said...

I love this fushion styled spaghetti...can never resist Thai food:) I still have lots of Yuen Chun sauce to use up:D

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

Thanks! I love their Thai sauce, it's very versatile :)

Caroline said...

Where can I buy this Yuen Chun Thai Stir Fry Sauce in Singapore?

Tastes of Home (Jen) said...

Hi Caroline, I checked with the ppl at YC and unfortunately the products are not officially available in Singapore yet although some individual sundry stores might have them..you can try substituting with chilli sauces that have Thai flavours in a pinch.  Thanks.

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