I remember the food writer and TV celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, saying that he is dreaming of herbs. Surprisingly, it is only reasonable thing and normal sounding I have ever heard. It is not unusual for me to spend days or weeks to think about recipes or food products, in particular, although I have not even dreamed of herbs ... I'm sure that even if it's just a matter of time.
The foods available in northern Thailand are among the most interesting and surprising the world. There are influences from all over Asia, including China and India and fragrant dishes from Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and southern Thailand (formerly Siam). It is a mixture of giddiness and a lifetime of work to know and understand all the ... but I'm willing to give it a try. It is a life changing experience in itself.
Part of the wonderful dining experience in northern Thailand is the strong market position of the cultures. There are excellent fresh produce markets throughout the entire region, which sells food fresher and better around the globe. Huge piles of mangoes, cabbage, peppers, cilantro, strawberry, jack fruit, lime, lemon grass and other fruit or vegetable you can think of filling market buzz.
The market share that the most frequent is the section of rice. Back in the rice in the UK is just something you buy and cook, and not thinking too much. Here in Chiang Mai, the main city of northern Thailand, rice is a product almost revered. There are several types of rice endlessly available for sale or stacked in large bags, or already cooked in large vats of steam. My favorite, and probably the most popular in this part of Chiang Mai at the local level is the sticky rice. Sticky rice was once at a Thai restaurant in London and quickly wished I had not. It was like eating glue. Sticky rice is completely different here is warm and soft ... smoothest mashed potatoes and rice. This is the kind of food that is always going to be eaten, because, like mashed potatoes, so it is very good.
So when you have your hot sticky rice, what to do? There are different ways you can go from here. Or you can try some Thai soups and curries, rice and dive directly in, or you can invest in a small saucepan with the dry spicy chili sauce called "nam prik Ta You," which is popular throughout Thailand. Some people eat rice and sauce dry as a meal in itself ... it is the cheapest meal available in most markets. However, if you have some spare baht (which I'm sure you may ) as you might think to get something from the grilled section. Thai Sausages are excellent, but vary widely in spicy. There are also grilled fish, ranging from excellent Catfish and locally farmed on the snakehead with expensive Fresh meat pastry or perhaps you might prefer the chicken something or pork satay marinated in honey or vegetable tempura fried crab pâté land or you would with one of the most delicious food and rare in the world.
Today, when it's time to go to the market section of fresh seafood, and buy a huge bag full of tiger prawns and maybe some soft shell crabs. I then nest of round section with fresh herbs and choose some great bunch cilantro, lemon grass, basil and chives. I can not wait to cook with fresh flavors. I'm sure if Jamie Oliver, bought from my local market was very difficult to work on the difference between the time he dreamed of herbs and awake!
Enjoy the food in northern Thailand.
No comments:
Post a Comment