Nam phrik num facts for kids
Nam phrik num (foreground)
|
|
| Type | Dip or chili sauce |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Created by | Northern Thai people |
| Main ingredients | Chili peppers |
Nam Phrik Num (Thai: น้ำพริกหนุ่ม) is a popular spicy dip from Thailand. It's a type of "Nam phrik", which means chili paste. People usually eat it with fresh or boiled vegetables, sticky rice, or crispy pork crackling. It adds a delicious, spicy kick to meals!
Contents
What is Nam Phrik Num?
Nam Phrik Num is a special kind of chili dip that comes from Northern Thailand. It's known for its fresh, spicy, and tangy flavor. You'll often find it served in a small bowl next to your main meal. It's perfect for dipping all sorts of foods.
Simple Ingredients
This tasty dip is made from a few fresh ingredients. They are all pounded together to create its unique flavor.
Here's what usually goes into Nam Phrik Num:
- Fresh green or yellow Chili peppers (sometimes long green aubergines)
- Shallots (small onions)
- Garlic cloves
- Coriander leaves (also known as cilantro)
- Asian Fish sauce (like nam pla)
- Fresh lime or lemon juice
How to Make It
Making Nam Phrik Num involves a few simple steps. The main idea is to roast the vegetables first. This brings out their flavor.
Roasting the Vegetables
First, you roast the chilies, aubergine, garlic, and whole shallots. You roast them until they become soft. Their skins might even start to turn a little black. If you want your dip to be less spicy, you can remove the skin and seeds from the chilies after roasting.
Mixing the Flavors
Next, you finely chop the roasted chilies, shallots, and garlic. Put them into a bowl. To make it even tastier, you add fresh coriander leaves, fish sauce, and lime juice. Stir everything together until it's well mixed.
Getting the Taste Just Right
The perfect Nam Phrik Num should taste hot and sharp. If it's too spicy for you, you can add a little sugar. More lime juice or fish sauce can also help balance the heat. It's a good idea to let the dip sit for about 30 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together nicely.
Serving Suggestions
Nam Phrik Num is usually served with Rice. It's also great with fresh spring onions. Don't forget kap moo (crispy pork crackling)! You can also dip many kinds of fresh or boiled vegetables into it.
Healthy Benefits
Nam Phrik Num is not just delicious, it also has some good things for your body. A small serving (about 100 grams) has about 56.61 kilocalories. It's low in fat and energy. But it's high in fiber, which is good for your digestion. It also contains special compounds called phenolic compounds. These can help protect your body's cells.
