vegetarian – Replace fish cakes with Thai ‘zucchini cakes’. Make a veggie version of the jungle curry. And make a tofu and cashew stir fry.
vegan – As above but skip the fish or zucchini cakes as they need the eggs.
the lazy cook / short on time? – Skip the fish cakes and the ice cream. If you must have dessert serve fresh tropical fruit or a commercial coconut ice cream or sorbet.
different dishes – Explore the other dishes in our ‘Healthy Thai Cooking‘ class.
menu step-by-step planning guide + timing
menu total active time: 3.7 hours
step 1. any time up to 5 days before or the night before
Make the jungle curry paste and cook the jungle curry, refrigerate without the coriander (cilantro) (20 minutes)
Prepare and freeze the coconut milk for the coconut sorbet (10 minutes)
step 2. 2 hours before guests arrive
Prepare fish cakes and form into shapes. Refrigerate (15 minutes)
Prepare cauliflower rice or steamed rice (5 minutes or 30 minutes)
Get all the ingredients ready for the stir fry and the pad thai (10 minutes)
Make the chicken and cashew stir fry and keep warm (15 minutes)
step 3. 1 hour before guests arrive
Soak the noodles for the pad thai. Drain (5 minutes)
Reheat the jungle curry (10 minutes)
Whizz the coconut ice cream and return to the freezer (10 minutes)
Set the table (10 minutes)
Put plates somewhere to warm (1 minutes)
Change into your party outfit (20 minutes)
step 4. when guests arrive
Appoint someone to look after drinks (especially yours!) (1 minute)
Fry the fish cakes and serve as a canape (10 minutes)
step 5. about 30 minutes after guests arrive
Tranfer jungle curry, chicken stir fry and cauliflower rice or steamed rice to serving plates. Top with herbs (10 minutes)
Cook Pad Thai (10 minutes)
Call your guests to the table, get someone to put the warm plates around the table and serve everything in the middle (10 minutes)
step 6. when you’re ready
Delegate someone to clear the table (5 minutes)
Serve ice cream (1 minute)
Make tea or coffee (10 minutes)
If you feel like it stack the dishwasher and put a load on – or delegate this step too. (10 minutes)
step 7. when the guests leave
Finish cleaning up + congratulate yourself!
menu problem solving guide
Note: for problems with individual recipes see the problem solving guide for each recipe.
guests running late If some guests are there and are hungry you might like to serve the fish cakes. Otherwise wait until everyone arrives and continue as per the plan.
space on the table – remember you’re going to be serving ‘family or Thai style’ with everything in the middle so keep the table decorations to a minimum.
guests early
I hate when this happens! Get them to fix themselves a drink while you finish whatever you were doing then return to the plan.
Add to my Old Favourite Recipes
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