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Thai Curry Pastes from Scratch Class at The Golden Pig

July 15, 2014 by Maureen 80 Comments

The Golden Pig

Two weekends ago I was invited to a class at The Golden Pig in Brisbane.  I’d heard about the cooking school and about Katrina Ryan and I REALLY wanted to go.  Life is incredibly busy right now with lots going on and then there are the olds to consider.

Then I remembered something my friend Judith said, “Your first duty of care is to yourself, Maureen.”  I smiled and to myself said, “You’re worth it.”

Katrina Ryan

I’m so glad I went.  It was the best cooking class I have ever attended and I’m not surprised that people come from all over Australia and the world to take classes from Katrina.  She learned Thai cooking from Neil Perry who learned it from David Thompson, the Australian chef whose restaurant in Bangkok is the best there is.  Katrina went on to become the head chef at Rockpool and later was the personal chef of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman when they were in Australia. She also taught at the Spirit House on the Sunshine Coast – probably our most well known (and well loved) restaurant.

She’s a sharp cookie and I’m sure she doesn’t suffer fools easily, but she was such a good teacher.  She explained each ingredient, how to prep it, how it could be cooked and showed every step of every recipe.  None of us left that school not knowing how to make all the dishes.

Making curry paste from scratch

We began by making the curry pastes in our mortars and learned to hit with the pestle and not ‘stir’ with it as I have been wont to do upon occasion.  No more!  We made Red Curry with Salmon and Green Peppercorns, Massaman Curry of Lamb with Sweet Potatoes and Fried Cashews and Northern Thai Pork Curry with Tamarind and Ginger.  My team made the salmon curry.

red curry paste
We soaked dried long red chillies in boiling water and then removed the seeds and chopped finely before adding to the mortar along with all the other ingredients for the red curry paste.  Once all the curry pastes were made, it was time to prep the other ingredients.  I learned to carefully (and thinly) slice krachai from the ginger family.  It imparts a slightly bitter taste that adds another layer of flavour.   Nothing was difficult but it does take a bit of time.  Curry paste can be made well ahead of time and keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Then Katrina showed us how to make each dish.  First she showed us how to take the top of the coconut cream and put it in the wok and cook until it ‘cracked’ and released its oil.  Then the curry paste was added.  Oh the aroma in that room!

Making pork curry

Once all the curries were made and the salad was prepped and dressed, it was time to eat and eat we did.  It was an outstanding day and I hope to attend another class by Katrina in the future.  Come with me!

Thai salad

Lunch at the Golden Pig

Red Curry with Salmon

Massaman Curry with Lamb
Northern Thai Curry of Pork with Tamarind and Ginger
I showed the dishes before the herbs were put on top because then you couldn’t see the good bits like the deep fried peanuts.

Filed Under: Food Events Tagged With: cooking school, thai cooking, the golden pig

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Foods Australia Brought to the World »

Comments

  1. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:35 am

    Wow – looks like a wonderful delicious class. Glad you are doing something good for yourself – as you seem to do a lot for others. Yum!

    Reply
  2. Nancy@jamjnr says

    July 16, 2014 at 3:18 am

    All that food looks amazing and I’m glad you got some time for yourself x

    Reply
  3. cheri says

    July 16, 2014 at 3:29 am

    Wow! Maureen, this looks like the cooking class of a lifetime, would love to make the salmon curry, will you be posting any of these recipes yourself?

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      July 16, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      I’ve made the lamb curry – leftovers tonight! Pure heaven on a fork.

      Reply
  4. GiGi Eats says

    July 16, 2014 at 4:11 am

    I would never even think about making such pastes!!!!! Now…. My brain is churning out some funky ideas! 😛

    Reply
  5. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    July 16, 2014 at 4:34 am

    What a fun class! I love Thai food, but it’s one cuisine I rarely cook at home, but just eat in restaurants. Weird. So this post is perfect for someone like me! Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Roberta says

    July 16, 2014 at 4:57 am

    I think we all need to be reminded once in a while that “Your first duty of care is to yourself.” Yes, indeed. That is why airplane personnel remind us at the beginning of every flight that if the oxygen masks fall, put yours on first before you even help your children. You will be no good to them if you pass out.

    The Thai dishes look super flavorful!

    Reply
  7. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    July 16, 2014 at 5:36 am

    Oh, how lucky were you Maureen – this class looks wonderful and is all summed up by the final dishes.

    Reply
  8. Mary Frances says

    July 16, 2014 at 5:37 am

    Wow Maureen, this class and the dishes you all made look just wonderful, what a great experience! And yes you are DEFINITELY worth it, don’t even doubt that you deserve to have great experiences like this!

    Reply
  9. Vicky and Ruth @mayihavethatrecipe says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:20 am

    It is so wonderful that you listen to your friend Judith. What an incredible experience! The food looks fantastic!

    Reply
  10. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:01 am

    I’m so glad that you went as you absolutely deserve it and you must look after yourself and take time for yourself 😀 I have been to one of Katrina’s classes (in South Australia) and it was fantastic! She teaches a great class 🙂

    Reply
  11. Sherry says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:18 am

    These photos are amazing! I love the pig 🙂

    Reply
  12. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Oh Maureen, what fun! I am soooooooooo glad that you went along. I miss the cooking school days, though I don’t miss the hard work of cleaning up afterwards : )

    Reply
  13. Eha says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Absolutely fascinating! Would so have loved to be a birdie on your shoulder! As I make and eat Asian food at least 4 nights a week, Thai appears oft on the table: yet oddly, I usually buy the pastes whereas I make them myself for all other Asian cuisines! Red is not hard, for green I have difficulty accessing all the ingredients here! Am reading, am dreaming – about time I got over my ‘complex’!! Delightful post . . .

    Reply
  14. Liz says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Good for you! I’m glad you did something for you! What a terrific opportunity. That salad (well, ALL the food) looks amazing!!!

    Reply
  15. Joanne T Ferguson says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    G’day! What a great experience Maureen that we all get to experience through your unique eyes!
    Love making curries from scratch! I can almost smell the food from here!
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
  16. merryn@merrynsmenu says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    What a wonderful opportunity, it is great you went out of your way to attend this curried day. It sounds delightful and I agree, there is no better smell than of curry paste frying in a little coconut cream. Wonderful photographs and thanks for sharing your fantastic experience with us, it all looks so delicious 😀

    Reply
  17. Tandy | Lavender and Lime says

    July 16, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    What a fantastic experience. I need a new mortar and pestle so that I can use it properly as the one I have is too light 🙂

    Reply
  18. RAY HUNT says

    July 16, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    I have done well over 20 classes at THE GOLDEN PIG & totally enjoyed every one – Katrina is a fantastic teacher who loves to share her knowledge of food while making a fun experience for all at the same time. I intend to participate in as many events as I can

    Reply
  19. David Crichton says

    July 16, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    This looks a wonderful class, Maureen. If I’ve got the time I’ll make my own pastes. The best curries I’ve made come from Donna Hay recipes strangely enough. Massaman being my favourite, although I’ve never done it with it lamb.

    Reply
  20. ela@GrayApron says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    Great class…glad you listened to your friend’s advice!

    ela h.

    Reply
  21. Krista says

    July 16, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    You are absolutely worth it, Maureen! XOXO So hugely proud of you for caring for yourself in the midst of all the hard things in your life right now. You are an inspiration.

    Reply
  22. InTolerant Chef says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    I’m so glad you decided to go, it looks lovely! Curry paste from scratch is fantastic isn’t it 🙂

    Reply
  23. Sandra - The Foodie Affair says

    July 17, 2014 at 3:05 am

    Wow! All those dishes looks amazing! What a great class. I would love to learn how to make fresh curry paste! Glad you listened to your wise friend!

    Reply
  24. minnie@thelady8home says

    July 17, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Maureen, thank you for sharing the class, and today I learned why coconut cream is added ahead of the paste. How lovely all the curries look. My mouth waters.

    Reply
  25. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Your friend is indeed right – you are always doing so much for your loved ones Maureen, glad you got to do something for yourself! This class sounds fantastic and OH MY GOSHHHH – The food looks AMAZING!!! And Yall cooked it!!! I can imagine the smells-wow!

    Reply
  26. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Your friend is indeed right – you are always doing so much for your loved ones Maureen, glad you got to do something for yourself! This class sounds fantastic and OH MY GOSHHHH – The food looks AMAZING!!! And Yall cooked it!!! I can imagine the smells-wow!!

    Reply
  27. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Your friend is indeed right – you are always doing so much for your loved ones Maureen, glad you got to do something for yourself! This class sounds fantastic and OH MY GOSHHHH – The food looks AMAZING!!! And Yall cooked it!!! I can imagine the smells-wow!!!

    Reply
  28. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Your friend is indeed right – you are always doing so much for your loved ones Maureen, glad you got to do something for yourself! This class sounds fantastic and OH MY GOSHHHH – The food looks AMAZING!!! And Yall cooked it!! I can imagine the smells-wow!!!

    Reply
  29. rebecca says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    this looks great what a fun class 🙂

    Reply
  30. Choc Chip Uru says

    July 17, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    This class sounds fantastic, I am so jealous you learnt so much in it 😀
    Thank you for sharing it with us, my mouth is watering now!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
  31. Eva Taylor says

    July 17, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    That does look and sound like an amazing cooking class, glad you did go and share it with us. We love Thai curries but I haven’t made a curry paste from scratch in a really long time, thanks for reminding me to stop being lazy.

    Reply
  32. Abbe@This is How I Cook says

    July 18, 2014 at 1:19 am

    It is so important to take care of yourself and I know I am horrible at it. Looks like these curry pastes would take care of anyone! Gorgeous and I’m sure they tasted fantastic!

    Reply
  33. Kitchen Belleicious says

    July 18, 2014 at 5:01 am

    i could put that on just about anything- from a sandwich to pasta or a soup. Love it and how fun is that to be able to do a class like that. I am so jealous

    Reply
  34. Kitchen Belleicious says

    July 18, 2014 at 5:02 am

    my comment never shows up? Ok lets do this again. was just saying how fun that class looks and how delicious the paste is. I could put it on anything from sandwiches to pasta! YUM!

    Reply
  35. Adri says

    July 18, 2014 at 7:03 am

    What a wonderful class. I don’t know of Katrina Ryan, so thank you for the introduction. I just love that for all the years I have been cooking, there is still so much more to learn. I find the process of discovering new things so much fun, so stimulating, and really refreshing. The new knowledge invigorates and inspires me me and makes me want to get cooking. It looks like you made a wonderful group of dishes. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  36. Vicki Bensinger says

    July 18, 2014 at 9:39 am

    Wow this sounds like a great class. I’ve never heard of her but it sounds like she taught you a lot of great lessons and shared some useful tips. Cooking classes are such fun aren’t they? That one dish with the veggies looks wonderful! What was that?

    Reply
  37. Juliana says

    July 18, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Oh Maureen, this was sure a fun class…and thank you so much for sharing it with us.
    Hope you are enjoying the rest of your week 😀

    Reply
  38. michael says

    July 18, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Oh my gosh Maureen, that looks like so much fun and the food looks delicious 🙂 I am glad you had fun, wish we had a local class here like that!

    Reply
  39. sherry mackay from sherryspickings says

    July 18, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    it sounds like a fantabulous class maureen. and i want that piggie!

    Reply
  40. Gourmet Getaways says

    July 18, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    What a lovely setting! I’m happy you have attended the class :). It gives off a different unexplainable feeling afterwards.

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

    Reply
  41. Bam's Kitchen says

    July 18, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    What a fantastic opportunity! You are right, if you don’t take care of yourself, then you won’t have the energy to do the things that you need to do for your family members. I love Thai cooking. I have Thai friends and there is no better place to do that with that others who work with the ingredients daily and have a love and passion for the cooking. Even though I am living in Hong Kong, my favorite cuisine is Thai. I love the delicate keffir lime leaves, lemon grass and all of the curries. Thanks for sharing your experience. Have a super weekend. BAM

    Reply
  42. Emma @ Bake Then Eat says

    July 19, 2014 at 4:14 am

    What an amazing experience, I love Thai food and how amazing it must have been to learn how to do things properly. The dishes look so good and I can only imagine how wonderful that classroom must have smelt. When I am next in Brisbane this is something I am going to have to do!

    Reply
  43. A_Boleyn says

    July 19, 2014 at 4:30 am

    I was certain I had commented but I guess I was mistaken. In any case, I love the smiling pig in the first picture and the idea of taking a Thai cooking class makes me wish that I lived in Brisbane.

    Reply
  44. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says

    July 19, 2014 at 5:42 am

    What a great cooking class you attended.. I’ve been to some cooking classes this year too, but none on thai cooking. Sounds wonderful, and the dishes look soo good.

    Reply
  45. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    July 19, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Boy Howdy did you make the right choice to go to the class. It’s important to remember you are ‘Person’ not just one of the many hats you put on for everyone else. Just the glimpses you gave us with the photos and the blog was a boat load of fun. I love Thai food, but I never make it at home. I even have a wonderful cookbook for it. I am going to have to correct that.

    Reply
  46. Roz says

    July 19, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Oh Maureen, I envy you that you were able to attend this Thai cooking class and from one of the best! I adore Thai food, second only to Italian. I’ve been to Bangkok twice and could eat anything they served me from a restaurant to a grass-thatch roof hut! Did she give you some of her recipes? Cherish them!
    xo
    Roz

    Reply
  47. Glamorous Glutton says

    July 19, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    I’d love to go to a class like that. It would be good to learn dishes and tips for dishes rather than blindly follow a book. The food looks amazing, definitely something to make again too. GG

    Reply
  48. The Hungry Mum says

    July 19, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    Curry fest! What delectable looking pix.

    Reply
  49. Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says

    July 20, 2014 at 8:01 am

    I’d love to go with you, everything looks just amazing. What a fun, fun day. I’m so happy you got to take such a delightful break Maureen!

    Reply
  50. Mrs Mulberry says

    July 20, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    What a spectacular class Maureen. So glad you got to enjoy some personal TLC in such a creative and instructive setting xx

    Reply
  51. yummychunklet says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:22 am

    What a fun looking place!

    Reply
  52. mjskit says

    July 21, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    Now that’s the kinds of cooking class I’d love to go to! Not only does it look like you had a blast, you learned something too. Can’t be that. Red Curry paste – YUM!

    Reply
  53. Dedy@Dentist Chef says

    July 21, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Wow, nice and found cooking class!!
    i love to watch, but when it comes with a mortar and pestle, i think i can handle it!!!

    Reply
  54. tania@mykitchenstories.com.au says

    July 21, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    There is no better way to learn thaui cooking than with Katrina. It was nice for you to get out and about and go to Brisbane. I want to go wuith you next time

    Reply
  55. Ami@NaiveCookCooks says

    July 22, 2014 at 2:40 am

    Maureen this looks so good!! Glad you went to this class!

    Reply
  56. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    July 22, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I’m so happy to hear you went to this cooking class and reported back to us! 🙂 It sounds like a great class (wow, personal chef to Tom Cruise? – I’m more envy about meeting Tom Cruise part. Haha). I always want to learn Thai cooking as I enjoy eating out all the time. Probably number 1 cuisine that I want to learn… I’m jealous that you now know how to cook some dish at home!

    Reply
  57. Ai-Ling@blueapocalypse says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Sounds like a great class and I love how at the end a feast was served up! How many people to a class? as it looks like you made enough to feed an army 😉

    Reply
  58. Monet says

    July 22, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    I am so glad you got to enjoy this wonderful cooking class…and that you shared the experience with us! So lovely and delicious!

    Reply
  59. Pat says

    July 22, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    Maureen, that must have really been fun! Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂

    Reply
  60. easyfoodsmith says

    July 22, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    Sounds so much fun! The aromas of an authentic curry made from scratch and with fresh ingredients is priceless! I can only imagine how good it must have been 🙂

    Reply
  61. Norma Chang says

    July 22, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    Glad you decided to take care of yourself and had a great time at the cooking class. What a gorgeous meal to end a delightful class..

    Reply
  62. Sarah and Arkadi says

    July 22, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    Wow! This looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  63. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

    July 23, 2014 at 12:04 am

    Everything looks so good! What a fun class!

    Reply
  64. Raymund says

    July 23, 2014 at 6:37 am

    Youre really making me hungry early this morning! look at all those dishes

    Reply
  65. Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says

    July 23, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Oh, Maureen! How wonderful! I’m so glad you went – both for you (because yes, you DO deserve it!) and also for all of us who got to live vicariously through you! Nothing beats learning from a top-notch instructor! And wow – what beautiful dishes! Thank you so much sharing!

    Reply
  66. MyMansBelly says

    July 23, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    That class sounds fantastic! I love taking cooking classes of other cuisines. It’s so much fun to go home and try out what you learned. I’m jealous of you with this class though. Curries is something I really want to learn how to do, so I don’t have to just buy those tins of curry powder to get my fix.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      July 26, 2014 at 9:49 am

      Pam, the difference between the stuff in the jar and the stuff we made – well, there’s no comparison. None whatsoever, other than the name. The complexity of the flavors without just feeling ‘tongue hot’ was fantastic.

      Reply
  67. SallyBR says

    July 24, 2014 at 6:40 am

    What a fantastic experience this must have been! I now am completely sure I use a mortar and pestle wrong – confession: I don’t have them anymore, during the move it was one of the items I gave away…. that and the crockpot. I miss them both, sometimes

    Now I’m craving a nice meal made with some red hot curry paste…

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      July 26, 2014 at 9:48 am

      LOL I gave my mortar and pestle away too a long time ago because no matter how hard I worked, everything still seemed whole. I was using it wrong. Now I have a heavy one but it’s not big enough for the curry paste I want to make. I found one for $89 so it’s off to the shops today.

      Reply
  68. Jackie@SyrupAndBiscuits says

    July 24, 2014 at 11:25 am

    I’m glad you went to the class, Maureen. You need to listen to your friend and take care of yourself. The dishes look fittin’ to eat. 🙂

    Reply
  69. Martyna @ Wholesome Cook says

    July 24, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    What a fantastic class Maureen! Thai pastes from scratch and with such a lovely instructor as well. I can just imagine how fragrant the room was!

    Reply
  70. Jill Colonna says

    July 24, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    Just been transported to Thailand – love their curries so much and fragrant touches – and the colours! Love all your photos, Maureen. That class looks fabulous. Lot to be said for having the perfect teacher. Spot on!

    Reply
  71. Mandi says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    This looks amazing. Have been thinking about going for a cooking class for some time now and I think this was just the kick up the backside I needed! Good work!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      July 26, 2014 at 9:55 am

      I hope you find a teacher just as good as Katrina Ryan is because I can still close my eyes and smell the aroma and taste that food. 🙂

      Reply
  72. The Wimpy Vegetarian says

    July 26, 2014 at 4:44 am

    This looks like a wonderful class, Maureen!! I would love it. Everything looks so fresh. I’m glad you went – we all need to remember to do things for ourselves!

    Reply
  73. Helene D'Souza says

    July 29, 2014 at 2:36 am

    Oh man I would have enjoyed the cooking class since we like thai food but I don’t know much about the cuisine. Also I think so we would have had fun together there, no? =D

    Reply
  74. Sara | Belly Rumbles says

    August 2, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Making your own curry pastes from scratch really is rewarding. Taste amazing too 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Massaman Curry Paste from The Orgasmic Chef says:
    August 16, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    […] I’m back to normal.  I cooked Massaman lamb curry for the family that I learned about at The Golden Pig Thai curry paste class.  I’ll post the curry paste recipe here and the curry next.  Trust me, this looks like a […]

    Reply
  2. Massaman Lamb Curry Over Roasted Vegetables from The Orgasmic Chef says:
    August 20, 2014 at 10:29 am

    […] family or friends that you can prepare most of beforehand, this is it.  I learned the technique at The Golden Pig cooking school in Brisbane but the directions are really easy to […]

    Reply

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