MEET THE CHEF

Chariya Khattiyot is a Thai-born chef who gained significant recognition as a contestant on MasterChef UK 2023. She is known for her innovative approach to cooking, blending traditional Thai flavors with modern techniques to create stunning and creative dishes. Chariya’s culinary journey on the show was marked by her precision, creativity, and ability to balance complex flavors, which consistently impressed the judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

MEET THE CHEF

Chariya Khattiyot is a Thai-born chef who gained significant recognition as a contestant on MasterChef UK 2023. She is known for her innovative approach to cooking, blending traditional Thai flavors with modern techniques to create stunning and creative dishes. Chariya’s culinary journey on the show was marked by her precision, creativity, and ability to balance complex flavors, which consistently impressed the judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

Nam Prik Ong is a popular Thai dip or chili relish from northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. It’s made primarily from minced pork, tomatoes, and a spicy chili paste, creating a rich, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness and spice. Traditionally, the chili paste is made by pounding dried chilies, garlic, shallots, and fermented shrimp paste (or fish sauce) together, then cooking it with the pork and tomatoes until the flavors meld into a thick, aromatic mixture. Nam Prik Ong is typically served with fresh vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, long beans, and herbs, and sticky rice or pork rinds. It’s known for being a crowd-pleaser and often enjoyed as an appetizer or part of a larger Thai meal.

MAKE THE DISH

Nam Prik Ong is a popular Thai dip or chili relish from northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. It’s made primarily from minced pork, tomatoes, and a spicy chili paste, creating a rich, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness and spice. Traditionally, the chili paste is made by pounding dried chilies, garlic, shallots, and fermented shrimp paste (or fish sauce) together, then cooking it with the pork and tomatoes until the flavors meld into a thick, aromatic mixture. Nam Prik Ong is typically served with fresh vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, long beans, and herbs, and sticky rice or pork rinds. It’s known for being a crowd-pleaser and often enjoyed as an appetizer or part of a larger Thai meal.

SERVINGS

4-6

PREP TIME

5

COOK TIME

15

EQUIPMENT

Wok, Chopping Board, Sharp Knife, Utensils

INGREDIENTS

For the Nam Prik Ong:

300g ground/minced pork
1 tbsp vegetable oil
250g/1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp of Thai red chilli paste
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1-2 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp tamarind paste
1-2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
125ml or 1/2 cup water or chicken broth

For Serving:

fresh vegetables chopped into dipping batons (cucumbers, cabbage, green beans)
1 bowl of cooked sticky rice (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

Start by preparing all your ingredients. Halve the cherry tomatoes, mince the garlic, and finely chop the onion.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the wok and sauté until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground pork to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until the pork is fully cooked and no longer pink.

Step 3

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and Thai red chili paste with the cooked pork. Mix well to combine and cook the tomatoes down. Once tender, add the fish sauce, tamarind paste, and palm sugar to the skillet. Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 4

Pour in the water or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and the mixture has thickened slightly. Adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.

Step 5

Once the Nam Prik Ong has thickened to your liking, remove it from heat. Serve it warm alongside fresh vegetables and sticky rice. The dish can be served as a dip or as a main dish with rice.

NAM PRIK ONG