Main Course
Pad Dok Khae (Sesbania Flower Stir Fry)
About this dish
This traditional Thai stir-fry highlights the delicate, slightly sweet flavor of sesbania flowers (dok khae), quickly cooked with garlic, chilies, and a savory oyster sauce. It's a quick, healthy, and aromatic dish often enjoyed with steamed jasmine rice.
Ingredients
UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.
sesbania flowers
vegetable200 g
Imperial measurement: about 2 cups
garlic
spice4 cloves
bird's eye chilies
spice3-4
oyster sauce
seasoning1 tablespoon
fish sauce
seasoning1 teaspoon
vegetable oil
fat1 tablespoon
Method
Prepare the sesbania flowers
2 minRinse the sesbania flowers gently under cold water and drain well. Trim any tough stems if necessary.
Aromatics
1 minMince the garlic and slice the bird's eye chilies.
Heat the wok
30 secPlace a wok over high heat and add the vegetable oil. When the oil shimmers, add the minced garlic and sliced chilies. Stir-fry for about 15 seconds until fragrant.
Stir-fry the flowers
2 minAdd the sesbania flowers to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until they begin to wilt.
Add sauces
1 minPour in the oyster sauce and fish sauce. Continue stir-frying for another minute until the flowers are tender and coated with sauce.
Serve
1 minTransfer to a plate and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment
- wok
- stove
- knife
- cutting board
Nutrition facts
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, substitute oyster sauce with mushroom stir-fry sauce and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce., Do not overcook the sesbania flowers, they should retain a slight crunch and vibrant green color.
- Adjust the number of chilies to your heat preference—remove seeds for milder heat.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately as the flowers will continue to soften and release moisture.
Serving suggestions
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice and a side of nam pla prik (fish sauce with sliced chilies) for extra heat.
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Recipe by
Pim Saelim
Specialises in Thai cuisineThis Pim is a food scientist who weighs her fish sauce.
Describe yourself in three words: Methodical, geeky, lives for umami metrics.