Comfort food gets a makeover when you combine the classic combo of pork and sweet potatoes with spicy Thai red curry, tangy lime and creamy coconut milk.
Pork and sweet potatoes are classic comfort foods that get a real boost in flavor from spicy red curry paste, fish sauce, some fresh lime and creamy coconut milk in this easy, quick-to-fix Thai curry. Serve with a cucumber salad and steamed jasmine rice for a satisfying dinner.
Red Curry Pork with Sweet Potatoes
Comfort food gets a makeover when you combine the classic combo of pork and sweet potatoes with spicy Thai red curry, tangy lime and creamy coconut milk.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless pork chops, sliced crosswise into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 to 2 tablespoons red curry paste, see recipe notes
- 1-1/2 cups coconut milk
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- Zest and juice from one lime, or kaffir lime – see recipe notes
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce, or more to taste
- 1-1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a stir-fry pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the curry paste, combine until smooth, add the pork and toss to coat thoroughly with the garlic-curry mixture.
- Stir in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Add the sweet potatoes, lower the heat to medium and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the lime juice, zest (and kaffir lime leaves if using), fish sauce and brown sugar. Stir to combine and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve over steamed jasmine rice and top with chopped cilantro.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
Thai red curry paste can be found at nearly all Asian grocers, or in the ethnic foods aisle of most supermarkets. Adjust the quantity according to how much heat you like – start with 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons and taste the coconut milk mixture about midway through the cooking time. If you like a little more heat, add more curry paste. If you can get kaffir lime leaves, add about 6 of them, finely slivered, in addition to the lime juice and zest. They add wonderful, unique aroma and flavor to the dish. Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
A note about kaffir lime leaves, a little goes a long way but they are often sold in large amounts. They freeze beautifully and add a wonderful fragrance and flavor to many dishes. I keep frozen ones on hand along with peeled frozen ginger for spontaneous curries like this recipe that I googled “Pork and Sweet Potato” to find. I don’t care for fish sauce, too rank, too salty. I keep anchovy paste on hand to add the depth of flavor of fish sauce without its actual presence!
Hi Lee,
Thank you for sharing the tip about kaffir lime leaves, you’re absolutely right, they do freeze quite well. Good idea to substitute anchovy paste for fish sauce too – it’s not for everyone.
This was so, so good! We made it exactly as ordered, only adding one chopped jalapeno with the garlic at the beginning, and served it over brown rice with a cucumber salad as a side. Probably the most notable dish this year. Absolutely husband-approved!
Hi Jennifer ~ So glad you liked the recipe. The jalapeño sounds like a nice addition.
This looks very delicious. I may try this w/in a couple of weeks
Looks Perfect! sweet potato in curry with fish sauce “brilliant”