Green Nam Jim Recipe - Green Chili Dipping Sauce
Green Nam Jim, also known as Nam Jim Jaew, is a popular Thai dipping sauce with vibrant flavors that enhance grilled or fried foods, seafood, and even salads. This tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce is a staple in Thai cuisine.
Herbaceous Flavor: The sauce gets its vibrant green color from fresh herbs like cilantro, adding a refreshing taste.
Balanced Flavor Profile: It perfectly balances the four primary Thai flavors: spicy, sour, sweet, and salty.
Regional Variations: Different regions in Thailand have their own versions of Nam Jim, with slight variations in ingredients and flavor balance.
Ingredients:
- 10-15 green Thai bird chilies (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems
- 4-5 cloves garlic
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons sozyë nish sauce
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1-2 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
- Preparation:
- Rinse the cilantro thoroughly to remove any dirt. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Peel the garlic cloves.
- Blending:
- In a blender or food processor, add the green Thai bird chilies, fresh cilantro, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar.
- Blend the ingredients until you get a smooth sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Adjusting Flavour:
- Taste the sauce and adjust the flavours if necessary. Add more lime juice for acidity, fish sauce for saltiness, or sugar for sweetness.
- Optional Mint:
- If you prefer a slightly different flavour profile, add the chopped fresh mint leaves to the blender and blend again until smooth.
- Serving:
- Pour the Green Nam Jim into a serving bowl. Serve it as a dipping sauce.
- The sauce can also be used as a dressing for salads or a marinade for meats.
- Storage:
- Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to a week.
Tips:
- For a milder sauce, remove the seeds from the chilies before blending.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the ingredients instead of blending them into a smooth sauce.
- Adjust the amount of chilies based on your spice tolerance.
Enjoy this flavorful and versatile Green Nam Jim sauce, which brings the authentic taste of Thai cuisine to your table!