Prik?

It was, like, a grillion degrees below zero outside this weekend so I certainly didn’t feel like going out to get groceries. Time to take stock of the pantry and see what I could come up with.

Our grandmothers were awfully good at doing that, it seems. They could be presented with what were seemingly bare cupboards, have a bunch of hungry tummies to feed, and emerge with a substantial meal to feed the family. All without using measuring cups or microwaves.

So I took stock. I had one frozen chicken breast. I had some frozen Asian-style mixed vegetables. Then, I remembered that about two years ago I had gone a little overboard with ordering Thai spice pastes and had about a dozen little tins of them in various varieties. I also had the requisite can of coconut milk and I always have plenty of fish sauce on hand. (Who doesn’t?)

Fifteen minutes later. . . . Ta-daahhh. . . Chicken Prik King.
To die for.

There seems to be a lot of Prik-style menu items at Thai restaurants. I always feel a little self-conscious ordering Prik-whatever. Does anyone know what “Prik” refers to?