Beef with Holy Basil / Phad Kra Prow Nua

Serves 1

Beef with basil is best eaten with a lot of ice water, you will need it to put the fire in your mouth out. You should also keep a napkin handy to wipe the sweat off your brow. This is probably one of the most popular "fast foods" in Thailand and is a staple among the street chefs and the many Thai luncheonettes. It is usually served with hot jasmine rice and a fried egg lopped on top just because it tastes better that way. But anyone can control the heat by just easing up on the chillies. Make sure to keep it hot, spicy and to have that glass of ice water handy if you want the real Thai experience!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ground beef

1/2 onion thinly sliced

2-4 cloves garlic

3-30 small red and green chillies, stem removed and crushed

20-30 holy basil leaves

2-4 tablespoons water or stock

1 tablespoon oil

Sauce:

1-2 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 teaspoon fish sauce

1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon sugar

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat

2. Add garlic, wait ten seconds then add the ground beef. Stir until cooked, 1 minute

3. Add the onion and chillies, stir to combine

4. Add the water, then soy sauce, oyster sauce and fish sauce

5. Stir, then add the basil leaves and sugar.

6. Cook for about one minute. Remove from heat and serve over jasmine rice

PS....Use a mortar and pestle to crush the chillies, onion and garlic for best results

Enjoy the Phad Kra Prow Nua !

Sincerely,

Toom

Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup / Tom Kha Gai

Serves 2

This soup is absolutely delicious! It is also quick and easy to make. The coconut milk gives it a delicate sweet flavor while at the same time the chilies and lime juice give it some bite. It should be served with fresh hot jasmine rice.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup thick coconut milk

1/2 cup thin coconut milk

3 thin slices galanga, skin removed

3 pieces lemongrass, thinly sliced

1 shallot crushed

1-5 chilies crushed

1/2 cup chicken breast sliced thin

1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms

1 kaffir lime leaf without stem torn into pieces

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

coriander leaves to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat the thick and thin coconut milk over medium heat in a saucepan and bring to a boil

2. Add the ginger, lemongrass, chillies, shallots and kaffir lime leaf and cook for about ten seconds

3. Add the chicken breast, mushrooms and fish sauce

4.Cook until the chicken is cooked, about 2 minutes

5. Stir in fresh lime juice and coriander

Enjoy the Tom Kha Gai !

Sincerely,

Toom

Thai Rice Porridge / Khao Tum

Serves 2

Thai rice porridge or as it is locally known as Khao Tum is usually eaten for breakfast. There are many variations to the basic recipe, so you can easily make it with the ingredients you like. What makes it so popular is that it is a great way to use any left-over rice from the previous meal. Most of the time you will find it served with ground pork and chopped green onion and parsley. You can add your favorite sauce such as soy, maggie or even tabasco. This is a simple dish and a great way to start the day with a healthy alternative that is full of ingredients that will give you the energy to face the day.

Ingredients:

2 cups water

1/2 cup rice

ground pork, shrimp,beef, chicken

bullion cube

salt & pepper

soy sauce

green onion & parsley

Preparation:

1.Bring two cups of water and 1/2 cup rice to boil, add meat and bullion cube

2.Cover and cook until rice is soft with a liquid consistency stiring often, adding water as needed

3.Season with salt, pepper and soy sauce

4.Add chopped green onion and parsley

Enjoy the Khao Tum !

Sincerely,

Toom