When someone says Bangkok I often think of
the quirky fable “Confusius say, man who goes through airport door sideways
going to Bangkok”.
Bangkok is alive with culture and
influences from everywhere across the country. This shows in two ways, the way
different classes coexist in harmony and in the food. The food gels these
people like nothing else.
From high end, opulent hotels and restaurants to the
dingy street stalls littered all over the city. Everyone eats everywhere no
matter who you are. When I recently arrived here this struck me more than
anything.
Food is a huge passion of mine, to cook, to
understand food and ultimately to eat and enjoy it.
Thai food stands out the most for me. It’s the flavours, the aromas and the
complexity that such few ingredients can give.
First hand experience
Two days after arriving in Bangkok I
started an intensive cooking course with a private teacher. I’ve been shown
some typical dishes and a few surprising ones too.
Here are three that have stood
out for me most of all.
3 traditional Thai recipes
Thai green curry
My first meal in Thailand had to be the
effervescent Green Curry.
For me it’s quintessentially Thai. Here’s an authentic recipe with some
surprising ingredients.
Chicken Satay
Next I discovered the secrets of Chicken
Satay with a creamy peanut butter dip.
Little skewers of chicken thigh grilled
on an open flame served 10, 20, 30 at a time. You just can’t get enough of
them. Give them a little time to marinate and soon you’ll be stuffing them into
your mouth one after the other.
Tom Kha soup
One of my best memories so far is Tom
Kha soup. Despite being 34 degrees this spicy coconut broth with loads of
chicken, actually cools you down.
Maybe it’s the little beads of sweat on your
forehead from the chillies or you completely forget about the heat as all you
focus on are your taste buds.
Here’s a quick recipe
you can whip up on a hot or cold night in under 30 minutes.
Journey into Burma
Only one week into my foodie journey I’m
already full of knowledge and looking forward to gaining much more. Bangkok is
done and now I travel east towards Burma.
More exciting recipes await, ones you
can make at home to share with friends or just to have when you are searching
for a taste of the exotic.
I look forward to sharing them with you so watch this space!
Follow my foodie adventures on my blog where I travel, eat and learn.