This is actually pretty close. Pad kaprow is a very simple recipe. Normally there would be oil involved.

Ingredients:

  • One jalapeno, minced
  • Three garlic scapes, minced
  • Three green onions, minced
  • Two dates, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Bragg's liquid aminos (or soy sauce)
  • Six white button mushrooms, sliced
  • Small box of shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • One red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 cups green beans, coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 boxes extra firm tofu

Slice the tofu and bake it in an air fryer for 25 minutes at 400 degrees, coated with balsamic vinegar and a good sprinkling of sesame seeds.

Meanwhile, combine jalapeno, garlic and onions and simmer in a tablespoon or two of water in a wok or large pot over medium heat for one minute or until fragrant. Wait until the water is starting to spit before adding tha jalapenos etc.

Meanwhile, combine dates, rice vinegar, aminos and another tablespoon of water.

When the jalapeno mixture is fragrant add add the date, vinegar, animo and water mixture. Stir and simmer another minute.

Add the mushrooms, stir and simmer for three minutes.

Add the green beans, basil leaves, chopped tofu and another three tablespoons of water and simmer until it brings out the color in the green beans, stirring occasionally.

Serve over rice, or rice noodles.

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10/23 '23 4 Comments
this sounds pretty fricking good.
"Phat kaphrao, also spelled pad krapow, pad kaprao, or pad gaprao"

Apparently the "r" is migratory?
I developed a sensitivity to all members of the capsicum family in the last 6 or 7 months and pad kaprow was one of my favorite quick meals to prepare before it became an issue. Experimenting I've also found I wanted/needed green beans in there. I'll have to try dates. I usually also have fish sauce in the mix and black pepper/szechuan pepper corn to cover for the absence of hot pepper now. Interesting aside -- a thai chef I follow on youtube says that the correct leafy green is actually NOT basil at all, but tulsi ("holy basil") if you can get it. I've always wanted to try that variation but haven't found a source for fresh tulsi.
Yes, holy basil is definitely more correct. I think it’s still considered a variety of basil but I’m not a Thai chef.