Gaeng Phet Ped Yang

Gaeng phet ped yang is one of Thailand's most regal curries — a rich, fragrant red coconut curry built around slices of Chinese-style roasted duck. Lychees and cherry tomatoes provide bursts of sweetness and acidity that balance the chilli heat, while Thai basil and kaffir lime leaves give the dish its unmistakably aromatic finish. It is a centrepiece dish for special occasions across Bangkok restaurants.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 whole Chinese roast duck (from Chinese BBQ shop), meat sliced off the bone
• 2 x 400ml (14 oz) cans full-fat coconut milk
• 3–4 tbsp Thai red curry paste
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1½ tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
• 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn
• 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
• 200g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 230g (8 oz) canned lychees, drained — or fresh if in season
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Large handful Thai basil leaves
• 2 red bird's eye chillies, sliced (optional)
• Steamed jasmine rice, to serve

Instructions

1. Open one can of coconut milk without shaking; scoop the thick cream from the top into a wok or wide saucepan. Heat over medium-high, stirring, until the cream begins to bubble and oil separates — about 4 minutes.
2. Add the red curry paste and fry in the coconut cream for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until very fragrant and dark red.
3. Pour in the remaining coconut milk from both cans. Add lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Season with fish sauce and palm sugar. Taste — it should be a balance of salty, sweet, and spicy.
5. Add the red pepper and cherry tomatoes; simmer 5 minutes until slightly softened.
6. Add the sliced roast duck and lychees. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to heat through — do not boil hard or the duck will toughen.
7. Stir in Thai basil leaves and fresh chillies. Serve immediately over jasmine rice.

Cook's Notes: Using pre-roasted Chinese BBQ duck is traditional and saves enormous time. Buy it from a Chinese roast meat shop on the day of cooking. The fat from the duck will enrich the curry sauce beautifully.