Panang Curry (พะแนง)

My partner and I visited a local Thai restaurant last weekend, and it was there we first sampledd Phanaeng curry. We love trying out different dishes, so if it was on the menu of the other Thai restaurants we have visited before, I am not entirely sure why we've never had Phanaeng until last Friday. Mind you most restaurants only offer Thai Red or Thai Green curry!

The Phanaeng we sampled was excellent. Like most Thai dishes, there are a variety of meat option and we went for chicken. The curry was creamy and nutty with a hint of sweetness. It also has a subtle heat. The key ingredient for this dish is founded peanut, which is not used in other Thai curry dishes. As soon as we got home we were researching for ingredients and made plan to reinvent this delectable dish at home!

Serves 2

4 boneless & skinless free-range chicken thighs, sliced 

1 can of coconut milk

1 tsp of palm sugar

2 tbsp of fish sauce

3 kafir lime leaves

For the curry paste:

2 tsp coriander seeds, toasted

1/2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted

1 large red chilli, chopped

A tumble of fresh ginger, cut into matchsticks 

2 lemongrass, brused and sliced

A handful of fresh coriander, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, peeled

1 small onion, chopped

1 tsp shrimp paste

4 tablespoon of ground roasted peanuts

1. Grind the toasted cumin coriander seeds in a mortar & pestle until powdered. 

2. Put all the curry paste ingredients into a food processor (including the seeds powder) and blitz it until it is of a smooth, paste texture.

3. Heat up a frying pan on medium heat. Add the curry paste and cook for 5 minutes. Keepstirring so it doesn't stick and burns. 

4. Pour in 1/2 of coconut milk and cook for further 5 minutes. 

4. Add the chicken, kafir lime leaves, fish sauce and Palm sugar. Keep on cooking for another 10 minutes until the meat is cooked through.

5. If the consistency is too dry and you prefer a wetter curry, add more coconut milk in to the frying pan. I made mine quite dry this time.

Well, that's it! Here is a delicious curry, best serves with plain steamed rice! Enjoy!

Where would I be without Philips Visapure?

Our life is surrounded by personal electrical: electric toothbrush, electric hair remover, hair driver, hair straightener.... and the list goes on. Where would we be if electrical transmission were never invented and electricity became widely available to the masses? Would we all have rotten teeth and hairy legs instead? What I know is we the annual budget personal grooming would be much less, and so would the annual electricity bill. Oh and mother nature would be much happier, of course. 

Anyway, the reality is we are becoming increasingly reliant on electrical items, as generally they are more efficient and convenient than anything manual (perhaps except driving). The latest hot potato is facial brush. As a self-proclaimed beauty junkie who are obsessed with lotions and potions, I was fascinated by this latest beauty gadget and couldn't wait to get my hands on one. The question is, which one? 

RiO, Clinique, Philips, Avon, Olay, Clarisonic.... even Lidl sells one called Sanitas! I was overwhelmed by all these different settings, rotations, speed, shapes etc it took me a long while do shop for the right product that suits my needs. It needs to be waterproof, has a self-timer, not bulky and having a slick design would be a desirable. Yes, it really does help to narrow the gene pool if there is a list of criteria to work with. I spent some time in various shops touching and feeling a variety of (brush) heads and handle the appliance this way and other, just to ensure I find The One.  There is nothing more irritating than purchasing something that 'isn't quite right, wish I've gone for the other one'.

After some research, I've finally settled on Philips Visapure.

Its shape is totally different to any other facial brush, and I find Philips Visapure much easier to clean the T-Zone area properly an to handle.

A full charge allows 30 treatments and I have yet had to recharge it. It also comes with a clear cap which is handy for when staying away from home.

After each use, I would rise, pat dry and leave it to air dry in its silver charging case in the bathroom. It just sits neatly on the windowsill.

Having used it every evening with a foam base cleanser for a month, I can really see and feel the difference. My skin seems to absorb product better and my T-Zone is less shiny during the day. Moreover, my skin tone also looks brighter! I used the normal brush and the bristles were not abrasive or caused any skin irritation. More importantly, I didn't feel the need to visit a beautician for a regular facial since the purchase, as it probably does a better job at deep cleansing than a pair of hands.

For those who have yet tried out an electrical brush and are tempted to purchase one, I would highly recommend this. It is at a mid-range price, more affordable than Clarisonic and better quality than Clinique. By registering the product online Philips will send you a complimentary replacement head (needs to be changed every 3 months for hygiene reason), saving yourself £12.