Tag: organic chili paste
Using organic Asian sauces and spice pastes. Shortcuts to superb Asian dishes.

Let’s face it, who always has the time or energy to cook full-on Asian recipes? Many of our favourite Asian sauces and spice pastes have a long list of ingredients that involve much grinding, crushing or both.
But nothing else will do. You want fragrant heat. Something sharp and spicy with creamy coconut. The thought of lemongrass and lime leaf just will not let go.
That’s when you need a shortcut to fast food.
Quick and easy recipes with organic Asian sauces
Quick and easy hot and sour soup
Serves 2
The organic Thai chili paste is hot, sweet and sharp with palm sugar, garlic, shallots and tamarind. So all the work has been done for you. Don’t be put off by the dried lime leaf, lemongrass or galangal. These organic powders retain their sharp fresh qualities and there is nothing there that a Thai cook would not use.
1 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp organic Thai chili paste 1/4 tsp organic lime leaf powder 1/4 tsp organic galangal powder 1/2 tsp organic lemongrass powder 2 cups chicken stock 3 tbsp fish sauce 10 king prawns, shelled and deveined Juice of 2 limes To garnish Fresh coriander, chopped
- Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan. Add the Thai chili paste and the spice powders.
- Cook for 1 minute, and add the chicken stock with the fish sauce.
- Simmer for about 3 minutes to allow the flavours to combine.
- Drop in the prawns and cook for about 1 minute until they are opaque.
- Squeeze in the lime juice and serve into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh coriander.
Quick and easy Singapore black pepper chicken
Serves 2
A simple stir fry supper to serve with rice or noodles. The flavours are already in the sauce for you, but you can add a pinch of our organic ginger powder for an extra kick.
1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 chicken breasts, chopped 1 red pepper, sliced 4 spring onions, sliced 200g fine green beans, topped and tailed, and cut into 2 1 tsp organic ginger powder 200g jar of organic black pepper sauce
- Heat the oil in a wok.
- Add the chicken, pepper, onions and green beans.
- Stir fry until the chicken is golden and the beans are tender crisp.
- Add the ginger and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the black pepper sauce, stir to combine, and cook for a few minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve hot with rice or noodles.
Quick and easy Thai red fish curry
Serves 2
Thai red curry is more spicy and robust than Thai green curry and is perfect for the firm flesh of monkfish or the richness of salmon. Serve with steamed rice and some Asian greens.
1 tbsp coconut oil 3 tbsp organic Thai red curry paste 400g monkfish fillet, cubed 300g coconut milk Juice of lime To garnish Fresh coriander, chopped
- Heat the coconut oil in a wok or saucepan.
- Add the curry paste and cook for 2 mins, stirring.
- Now add the fish and stir to coat with the curry paste.
- Pour in the coconut milk, bring to the boil, and then simmer for about 3 minutes or until the fish is just cooked.
- Add the lime juice and serve.
- Garnish with the fresh coriander.
Check out our range of Asian groceries and condiments or enjoy wholesale prices from our online Asian grocery store.
This Article was reproduced with permission from Opera Foods article:- “Using organic Asian sauces and spice pastes. Shortcuts to superb Asian dishes.”
Thai beef salad recipe. Fast fun and vibrant food in under 30 minutes.

Full of the punchy flavours that characterise Thai food, this vibrant Thai beef salad recipe can be made in under 30 minutes. The steaks are quick and easy to cook and although there is a bit of vegetable prep to do the dish is more about assembly rather than preparation.
For best results use the freshest produce available and bring the meat to room temperature before cooking.
Recipe for Thai beef salad
2 x sirloin steaks of about 250g each 2 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp flaked sea salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp ground coriander For the salad 1/4 head Chinese leaf, shredded 1 cup beansprouts 1 carrot, shredded 8 radishes, sliced 1/2 shallot, finely sliced 4 spring onions, sliced 1/2 cucumber, peeled and shaved into ribbons 1 small bunch mint, chopped For the dressing 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 teaspoon chili paste 2 tsp brown sugar 3 tbsp fish sauce 3 limes, juice 1 tbsp sesame oil To garnish 75g salted peanuts, chopped 1/2 red chilli, finely sliced coriander leaves
1. Take the steaks from the fridge, remove any packaging, and pat dry with kitchen paper.
2. Rub the steaks with the oil and seasonings. Set aside to come up to room temperature whilst you make the salad.
3. Begin to layer your salad ingredients on a large platter.
4. Note the size and shape of the carrots. It takes a little more effort to julienne them rather than grate them, but the texture will make a big difference to the eating quality of your salad.
5. Finish the salad layers with the chopped mint.
6. Heat a grill pan or frying pan over a medium high heat. When really hot, add the steaks seasoning side down and sear for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
7. Remove the steaks from the pan and set aside to rest for a few minutes whilst you make the dressing.
8. Stir all of the dressing ingredients together.
9. Thinly slice the steaks.
10. Layer the sliced steaks onto the salad.
11. Finish with the dressing and a scatter of peanuts.
12. Serve the Thai beef salad whilst the steak is still hot.
You can buy our organic chili paste and other amazing organic Asian groceries at our Asian grocery store online online.