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Books on Thai Cuisine
Recommended Reading
The following books are highly recommended as a means of furthering one’s knowledge of Thai cuisine and culture. Look for these titles at your local bookstore, or order online from http://www.amazon.com.
- Cracking the Coconut: Classic Thai Home Cooking, by Su-Mei Yu (hardcover)
This book is highly recommended, both for its recipes as well as its antidotes and comments on Thai philosophy and culture.
- Thai Home Cooking, by Robert Carmack & Sompon Nabnian (hardcover)
This recipe book offers beautiful pictures alongside easy-to-follow recipes. The authors also teach readers how to season a wok, and how to carve vegetables into flowers for authentic Thai presentation.
- Real Thai: The Best of Thailand’s Regional Cooking, by Nancy McDermott (paperback)
วันพุธที่ 30 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2551
Specialty Thai Cooking Ingredients
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Zest in the Dish
Along with herbs and spices, there are various sauces and other specialty ingredients essential to authentic Thai cooking that may be new to you. While some will be available at your local grocery store, others can be found only at Asian markets or specialty stores.
Most Thai recipes will call for a base of onions or, more often, shallots. Shallots are high in potassium and have a slightly different flavor compared to onions - they also cook faster, which makes them a great addition to curry pastes. Garlic and chillies (red, green, and yellow) are used in generous amounts in the Thai kitchen, and should always be purchased fresh, not bottled.
When preparing a Thai meal, there are several sauces you will need to have on hand. Depending on the dish (and which region it comes from), fish sauce is as important (or more important) than soy sauce in Thai cooking.
Zest in the Dish
Along with herbs and spices, there are various sauces and other specialty ingredients essential to authentic Thai cooking that may be new to you. While some will be available at your local grocery store, others can be found only at Asian markets or specialty stores.
Most Thai recipes will call for a base of onions or, more often, shallots. Shallots are high in potassium and have a slightly different flavor compared to onions - they also cook faster, which makes them a great addition to curry pastes. Garlic and chillies (red, green, and yellow) are used in generous amounts in the Thai kitchen, and should always be purchased fresh, not bottled.
When preparing a Thai meal, there are several sauces you will need to have on hand. Depending on the dish (and which region it comes from), fish sauce is as important (or more important) than soy sauce in Thai cooking.
Thai Cooking Tips
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Thai Cooking Tips
Start with Fresh Ingredients
In order to achieve the greatest taste sensation from your Thai cooking, be sure to start with fresh ingredients. Dried and packaged lemongrass, for instance, is hardly worth comparing to the fresh version (fresh lemongrass is available in all Asian shops and markets). When shopping at Asian stores, note that ingredients such as galangal, pandan, or kaffir lime leaves may be available only in the freezer section. Frozen herbs and spices are nearly as potent as fresh, and you’ll have the convenience of having them on hand in your freezer at home for future use. See Shopping for Thai Ingredients for more helpful shopping tips.
Thai Cooking Tips
Start with Fresh Ingredients
In order to achieve the greatest taste sensation from your Thai cooking, be sure to start with fresh ingredients. Dried and packaged lemongrass, for instance, is hardly worth comparing to the fresh version (fresh lemongrass is available in all Asian shops and markets). When shopping at Asian stores, note that ingredients such as galangal, pandan, or kaffir lime leaves may be available only in the freezer section. Frozen herbs and spices are nearly as potent as fresh, and you’ll have the convenience of having them on hand in your freezer at home for future use. See Shopping for Thai Ingredients for more helpful shopping tips.
Shopping for Thai Ingredients
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Thai Shopping
Shopping for Thai Ingredients at An Asian Market
While you might be lucky enough to live near a Thai food store, for most of us shopping for Thai ingredients means visiting our local Asian market or grocery store. Follow this virtual tour and gain some valuable tips to help you find everything you’ll need to cook authentic Thai food.
The Fresh Produce Section
Here you can find the vegetables called for in your recipe. As the names of items will probably be written in Chinese, you will need to have a mental picture of what you’re looking for (see our Glossary). Fresh fruit can also be found in this section, including limes, mangos, pineapple, papaya - both ripe and green, and various other exotic fruits
Thai Shopping
Shopping for Thai Ingredients at An Asian Market
While you might be lucky enough to live near a Thai food store, for most of us shopping for Thai ingredients means visiting our local Asian market or grocery store. Follow this virtual tour and gain some valuable tips to help you find everything you’ll need to cook authentic Thai food.
The Fresh Produce Section
Here you can find the vegetables called for in your recipe. As the names of items will probably be written in Chinese, you will need to have a mental picture of what you’re looking for (see our Glossary). Fresh fruit can also be found in this section, including limes, mangos, pineapple, papaya - both ripe and green, and various other exotic fruits
Thai Recipes Index
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Thai Recipes
Are you new to Thai cuisine? Learn How to Cook Authentic Thai Dishes with Easy Thai Recipes that Take You Through Each Step (with pictures).
For Appetizers, Soups, Side Dishes, Snacks and Party Foods, scroll through my Thai Soups, Salads, Appetizers, Side Dishes, and Munchy Snack Food Recipes.
For more seasoned Thai cooks, check out this collection of Classic Thai Dishes with my Classic Thai Food Recipes.
For busy cooks who want Faster, Easier Thai Recipes, try these Thai Quick & Easy Recipes.
Are you Vegetarian? If so, you can enjoy Vegetarian Thai Food Recipes that are based on classic Thai dishes
Thai Recipes
Are you new to Thai cuisine? Learn How to Cook Authentic Thai Dishes with Easy Thai Recipes that Take You Through Each Step (with pictures).
For Appetizers, Soups, Side Dishes, Snacks and Party Foods, scroll through my Thai Soups, Salads, Appetizers, Side Dishes, and Munchy Snack Food Recipes.
For more seasoned Thai cooks, check out this collection of Classic Thai Dishes with my Classic Thai Food Recipes.
For busy cooks who want Faster, Easier Thai Recipes, try these Thai Quick & Easy Recipes.
Are you Vegetarian? If so, you can enjoy Vegetarian Thai Food Recipes that are based on classic Thai dishes
Is Thai Food Good for You?
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
The Health Benefits of Thai Cuisine
Several Thai dishes, such as Tom Yum Soup, are currently under scientific study for their incredible health benefits (see Thai Soup Under Study). Of course, it's already known that many of the fresh herbs and spices used in Thai cooking - such as turmeric, galangal, coriander, lemongrass, and fresh chillies - have immune-boosting and disease-fighting power. Find out more about these and other ingredients that contribute to making Thai food one of the healthiest cuisines in the world!
The Health Benefits of Thai Cuisine
Several Thai dishes, such as Tom Yum Soup, are currently under scientific study for their incredible health benefits (see Thai Soup Under Study). Of course, it's already known that many of the fresh herbs and spices used in Thai cooking - such as turmeric, galangal, coriander, lemongrass, and fresh chillies - have immune-boosting and disease-fighting power. Find out more about these and other ingredients that contribute to making Thai food one of the healthiest cuisines in the world!
Making Chili Flowers
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Create Your Own Elegant Garnishes for Veggie Platters and other Dishes!
Chilli flowers add an elegant touch to all your Thai dishes, as well as vegetable platters. They're a great party garnish and instantly brighten up any dish. Follow the instructions below to make your own.
You will need a pair of latex or rubber gloves, some fresh chillies, a sharp knife, and a deep bowl of ice-cold water. Be sure to choose chillies with thin skin and not too thick in circumference.
Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands from the pungent chilli seeds and oil (otherwise later you might burn your eyes or lips).
Holding the chilli firm on a cutting board, make a cut from the tip of the chilli to the base. Do not cut through the entire chilli - only the side facing you.
Now turn the chilli slightly, and repeat, making another cut down the length of the chilli
Create Your Own Elegant Garnishes for Veggie Platters and other Dishes!
Chilli flowers add an elegant touch to all your Thai dishes, as well as vegetable platters. They're a great party garnish and instantly brighten up any dish. Follow the instructions below to make your own.
You will need a pair of latex or rubber gloves, some fresh chillies, a sharp knife, and a deep bowl of ice-cold water. Be sure to choose chillies with thin skin and not too thick in circumference.
Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands from the pungent chilli seeds and oil (otherwise later you might burn your eyes or lips).
Holding the chilli firm on a cutting board, make a cut from the tip of the chilli to the base. Do not cut through the entire chilli - only the side facing you.
Now turn the chilli slightly, and repeat, making another cut down the length of the chilli
Create a Thai-style Barbecue Party for Family and Friends!
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
A Thai-style Barbecue Menu Even Your Kids will Love!
This summer, instead of making the same old burgers and steaks, surprise your family and friends by throwing a Thai-style barbecue party. Here you'll find recipes for scrumptious Thai appetizers, learn how to make real Thai satay, plus you'll discover an easy way to cook vegetables right on the BBQ - a recipe that's as healthy as it is delicious. Even your kids will want to eat their veggies! Add a cool Thai drink and an exotic Thai dessert, then invite some friends and family, and you have a barbecue party that's refreshingly new, fun to make, and taste-sensational
A Thai-style Barbecue Menu Even Your Kids will Love!
This summer, instead of making the same old burgers and steaks, surprise your family and friends by throwing a Thai-style barbecue party. Here you'll find recipes for scrumptious Thai appetizers, learn how to make real Thai satay, plus you'll discover an easy way to cook vegetables right on the BBQ - a recipe that's as healthy as it is delicious. Even your kids will want to eat their veggies! Add a cool Thai drink and an exotic Thai dessert, then invite some friends and family, and you have a barbecue party that's refreshingly new, fun to make, and taste-sensational
Thai Essential Herbs and Spices
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Key Thai Cooking Ingredients
Herbs and Spices are an essential part of Thai cooking. Used in combination, they help achieve a balance of the four essential Thai tastes: salty, sour, spicy, and sweet.
Nearly every Thai recipe begins with a paste. While it is possible to buy ready-made Thai pastes (such as red, yellow, and green curry), these packaged spice mixes will not give you the same flavor and aroma—not to mention nutrients—as a paste made from scratch.
In the Thai kitchen, pastes were traditionally made using whole spices and herbs (some fresh, others dried) pounded together with a pestle & mortar. While many Thai chefs still prefer to use this method, a food processor is a convenient and adequate substitute.
Most Thai pastes start with shallots (or onions), garlic, and green or red chillies.
Key Thai Cooking Ingredients
Herbs and Spices are an essential part of Thai cooking. Used in combination, they help achieve a balance of the four essential Thai tastes: salty, sour, spicy, and sweet.
Nearly every Thai recipe begins with a paste. While it is possible to buy ready-made Thai pastes (such as red, yellow, and green curry), these packaged spice mixes will not give you the same flavor and aroma—not to mention nutrients—as a paste made from scratch.
In the Thai kitchen, pastes were traditionally made using whole spices and herbs (some fresh, others dried) pounded together with a pestle & mortar. While many Thai chefs still prefer to use this method, a food processor is a convenient and adequate substitute.
Most Thai pastes start with shallots (or onions), garlic, and green or red chillies.
The Food of Love: Create a Sensual Thai Dinner for Two!
From Darlene Schmidt,Your Guide to Thai Food.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
A Valentine's Day Thai Menu Planner
What is the food of love? Thai food, of course! Thai is now the cuisine of choice for most American "first date" couples. It's also the fastest growing cuisine in North America in terms of popularity. So what is it about Thai food that's so sexy? Find out with this romantic stay-at-home Valentine's Day Dinner for Two. It's sure to make you fall irrevocably in love with Thai food - and perhaps with your date too!
A Valentine's Day Thai Menu Planner
What is the food of love? Thai food, of course! Thai is now the cuisine of choice for most American "first date" couples. It's also the fastest growing cuisine in North America in terms of popularity. So what is it about Thai food that's so sexy? Find out with this romantic stay-at-home Valentine's Day Dinner for Two. It's sure to make you fall irrevocably in love with Thai food - and perhaps with your date too!
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