Basil Police!!!
It's all good, no one is in any trouble. But we are investigating UK Thai restaurants, for the authenticity of their Stir Fried Holy Basil and Pork recipes!
Hi, I'm from the UK; a self proclaimed aficionado of Thai Basils. From the propagation of, the growing of, the harvesting of and, finally, to the cooking and eating of Thai Basils.
I am no scientist nor agronomist, but I do grow Thai Basils passionately, and have come to know the plants quite well. I hope to bring you useful findings, hints and tips on this wonderful plant species.
I do love everything about the Sweet Thai Basil (Holopa), especially in a brutally hot and refreshing King Prawn Jungle Curry. But there's more to love in Thai Holy / Rama Basil (Krapow). Mainly for the most sensational dish of my life, Pad Krapow / Gra Pow; how ever you want to spell it.
That immense dish of Minced Pork fried in crushed chili and garlic, with oyster sauce, fish sauce, dash of Thai black soy, palm sugar and a pinch of white pepper and a generous handful of Holy Basil leaves, yummers!
I defy anyone to find a better flavour combination than Pad Krapow with jasmine rice soaked in the sauce, with a dribble of egg yolk and a crispy bit of egg white; makes me weep when I eat an authentic one.
An authentic one, 'ello 'ello 'ello, what's going on 'ere then, hard to find Thai Basil? ENTER THE BASIL POLICE!
Over the coming months / years, I will have an adventure, an adventure that will see me sniff out the authentic Thai establishments around the UK, the establishments that make me weep with authenticity. The establishments that only serve the most authentic Pad Krapow Moo (Stir Fry, Holy Basil and Pork). Starting in Buckinghamshire!
Cooks have their own take on every dish, I understand that. But, from the hundreds of different Pad Gra Paos I've had over the years, the version I was taught in Bangkok, by a Sage of a Grandmother who was taught by her Grandmother etc etc, is the best I have ever had.
So, that's why I'm not here to name and shame, there will be no "black list". But I will be celebrating those special places.
I'll be using the Dave Portnoy score system (although I'll be having more than one bite). You may well of met Mr. Portnoy reviewing Pizzerias around the US on his YT channel. To be fair, I have no idea how his point system works, so I'll devise one based, very loosely, on his. Hope you don't mind Dave.
TOMATOES ...
I'll start every establishment with a 5 out of 10, as a gesture for even opening a Thai restaurant, hats off to you! This will be the lowest score, unless a place is either dire, minging, angry, smelly, slippery or the food is inedible.
One half point added to the base score of five for each of the following; authenticity of the sauce will have it's own sliding score from 0 to 5: 0 = nnnnnnope! through to 5 = Back in Bangkok. The fried egg can score up to 1 point, 0.5 for it being included as standard and another 0.5 for it being cooked to perfection, crispy whites, runny yolk.
- Fresh Holy Basil Leaves Used
- Aromatic and authentic sauce on a sliding scale of 0 to 5
- Minced Pork not sliced
- Fried egg included, as standard (Not as an extra on the menu for more £)
plus another half point if cooked well - Fresh Green Pepper Corns used
- Scoville level as expected
- Warm Thai Welcome
- Mood and ambiance of restaurant
- Beer Chang or Singha available and ice cold
- Fruit/Veg carved plate decorations
- Authentically dressed waitresses/waiters
Another half point if I get a waitresses phone number - Calming Thai music
So, as you can see, it is possible to score 17 out of 17, but it's gotta be a bang on place, as I'm a picky Bu****!
Takeaways? They will be judged by the list above, down to Scoville level as expected. Max possible score 10 out of 10, eggs will not be judged on how they are cooked for a takeaway, also no base score.
To catch up with the places that serve a very authentic stir fry, check the Basil Police's, authentic Holy Basil stir fry restaurant reviews.
I hope I can bring you informative and useful content over the coming months. In the meantime check out my take on Pad Krapow Moo, or check out what is happening in the Thai Basil Grow Room.
Remain well.
Cheers n gone!
WAIT WHAT .... Tomatoes?
Yeah, there's tomato news on this blog too, but it's just some crazy guy doing a test, a new plant based growth compound discovered, does this and that, blah blah blah ...
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