Red Curry with Turkey and Kale

This sweet-and-spicy, Thai-style curry combines bite-sized pieces of tender turkey cutlet, kale, red bell pepper and fresh basil with coconut milk and a store-bought red curry paste. Spooned over steamed jasmine rice and served with our Sweet-Hot Thai-Style Cucumber Salad as a side dish, it makes a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Red Curry with Turkey and Kale

Red Curry with Turkey and Kale

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

An easy, Thai-style curry made with tender, bite-sized pieces of turkey cutlet, fresh kale, red bell pepper, basil, scallions, coconut milk and Thai red curry paste.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb turkey cutlets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce, divided
  • 1 bunch kale (about 3/4 lb)
  • 1-1/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk (reduced fat is okay)
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste (more or less to taste)
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable (or coconut) oil
  • 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into thin strips
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, loosely packed
  • 5 to 6 scallions, sliced
  • Steamed jasmine rice

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the cornstarch together with 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce until dissolved. Add the turkey, toss to combine and set aside.
  2. Wash the kale, remove the stems and chop the leaves into into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of fish sauce together with the coconut milk, curry paste, lime juice and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside.
  4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the bell pepper and continue to sauté until the pepper is crisp tender, 2 minutes longer.
  5. Stir in the coconut milk mixture and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add the turkey, simmer 1 minute, then add the kale and continue cooking until the turkey is cooked through and sauce has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes more.
  7. Stir in the basil and scallions and continue cooking just long enough to wilt the basil and soften the scallions, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
  8. To serve, plate individual servings of steamed jasmine rice, add a portion of the curry and spoon extra sauce over the top.
© Lynne Webb