Hot Sour Salty Sweet: A Culinary Journey Through Southeast Asia
Chiang Mai curry noodles (Khao Soi)
Let's start with some history of this dish. It arrived via Yunnanese Chinese Muslim traders, the Chin Haw, through Myanmar and Laos. They settled in Northern Thailand, specifically in the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai regions. As it travelled through Myanmar, it picked up strong Burmese characteristics, particularly from the dish Ohn No Khao Swe, which translates to "coconut milk noodles". The name Khao soi means "cut noodles", and the origins of this name are still disputed. One theory is that...
Thai spicy grilled beef (or mutton) salad (Neua nam toke)
Thai cuisine is well known for grilled meats, whether satay-style skewers with a lovely dipping sauce or steaks and larger cuts. I love a...
Grilled chicken with hot and sweet dipping sauce
This Laotian dish is so simple! It's a subtle-flavoured chicken that comes alive in a sweet and spicy sauce. I loved the contrast of...
Silky tofu in ginger syrup
I love tofu, but before this dish, I had never had it as a dessert. Usually, tofu is served as a side dish or as part of the main course,...
Black rice pudding with mango
Sticky rice with fresh mango is a favourite dessert in any Thai restaurant. This is a wonderful dessert that combines sweetened sticky...
Vietnamese buddhist sour soup
When I think of healthy food I think of this soup. It is a super simple soup to make but has great flavour. Buddhist cooking has always...
Khmer chicken "samla" with coconut milk
A samla is a Cambodian dish that has a consistency between a soup and a stew. It is perfect with rice, the staple carbohydrate on every...
Thai cellophane noodle salad with roasted mushrooms and lamb
I have been in the mood for some light salads, especially those with a touch of protein. This salad also has a pop of spice and flavour....