Thailand is situated in South East Asia, lying south of China and bordered by Burma, Laos and Kampuchea from west to east, with Malaysia to the south. The South China Sea is to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west.
Thai food has been influenced over time by its Chinese, Malaysian and Indian neighbours and has evolved into a very distinctive style of its own.
The contrasting flavours of hot, sweet, salty and sour and the unusual combinations of fruit, chicken, meat and fish or seafood make this a truly fascinating cuisine.
A normal meal for a family of reasonable income will consist of rice, which is the country's staple food, together with a soup or similar, a stir-fried dish and a salad, all served at the same time. In the north of Thailand, pork and strong curries are popular, with the meat cooked in large pieces, whereas gentler coconut milk flavours the southern curries and the meat is chopped quite small.
In curries, traditional Indian ingredients such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves are used in very small quantities but many of the flavourings and spices differ considerably from those found in Indian and Chinese cuisine. The most commonly used of these are:
Galangal - A root or rhizome which looks similar to ginger, but with a flavour all of its own. It can be bought fresh, powdered or dried in slices but fresh is best.
Lemon grass - As its name suggests, this has a lemony flavour but it looks somewhat like a fresh bamboo shoot. The outer leaves are very tough and should be peeled away, but even the inner core is fairly hard and needs to be sliced very finely for cooking or even grinding.
Kaffir lime leaves - These are the leaves of a Far Eastern lime, similar to a Western one but with a knobbly skin. The rind is also used in Thai cookery.
Fish sauce - This is called Nam Pla in Thailand and is made from salted fish or prawns. It is a pale brown liquid used much as soy sauce is in Chinese cookery.
Shrimp paste - Made from fermented shrimp, this can be bought in small pots. Use sparingly as it has a very strong flavour.
Chilli paste - A combination of chillies and fried shallots mixed with sugar and tamarind, it can be bought in jars and may be hot, medium or mild in flavour.
Other, more well known, flavourings commonly used in Thai cookery are fresh mint, basil and coriander, unsalted peanuts, fresh chillies, both green and red as well as chilli powder, lime and lemon juice and garlic.
Noodles of differing types are often added to flavoured broths with vegetables such as bean sprouts or green beans and chicken or prawns, making a flavoursome soup for lunch.
Dipping sauces are a popular condiment to accompany a Thai meal, particularly a deep-fried dish, and usually contain any combination of tamarind, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, finely chopped chilli, garlic and spring onion.
A Thai meal will usually end with an array of prepared fresh fruit such as mango, pineapple and papaya. Desserts are only served on very special occasions or at banquets.
About The Author
Liz Canham: As well as a love of Asian cooking as you can see in her Asian Food and Cookery website, Liz seeks to help newcomers to the world of internet marketing with tools, tips and training from her Liz-e-Biz website.
http://lizebiz.com/
Thai Cookery in a Nutshell
The Best Nutrition To Lower Cholesterol
There is a saying that goes. "We are what we eat." This is so true as the food being consumed may affect the cholesterol levels inside the person’s system. This makes this makes the person prone to high blood pressure or heart disease through age, which could leave the patient, paralyzed or dead.
The only thing to do before it is too late is to make some changes in the individual's diet. While many of the good stuff that people love to eat have high concentrations of LDL better known as bad cholesterol, this can all change by consuming those that have HDL or good cholesterol. Here are a few examples.
A good way to start a healthy diet is to have a breakfast. Instead of eating bread, the individual can consume oatmeal instead. Studies have shown this can lower the cholesterol in the body by more than 20. This can be purchased at the supermarket and eaten during anytime of the day such as dessert after a light meal or as a snack.
During lunch or dinner, the person must have some vegetables in the meal. Those who order can have fish or poultry instead of eating red meat. Such dishes are not high in saturated fats, which are healthier.
Those who love to cook at home can try mixing some healthy things ingredients in the meal. One example is garlic that has natural properties that can declog the arteries and again lower the odds of succumbing to heart disease.
Having a can of pork and beans is also good for the diet. This is because it contains soluble fibers that can combat the bad cholesterol in the person's body. There are not that many people who will do this but those who are able to eat even a half an onion daily will be able to increase the HDL and lower the LDL.
People are often told that fats are not good for the diet. This isn’t entirely true because this comes in many forms. There are fats that are healthy such as unsaturated ones and omega 3 fatty acids.
Monosaturated and Polysaturated ones are also effective since these are usually found in cooking oils. This means food preparation also plays a big factor in reducing lowering one’s cholesterol levels.
The individual should read the label at the supermarket and read the ingredients to find out if this is healthy for cooking.
Being a bit overweight or noticing a lot of bulges in the body is one way of knowing that the person is potentially at risk for succumbing to disease to high levels of cholesterol in the system.
If the individual is unable to make a proper dietary plan, a specialist can help make one so all the person has to do is follow it.
About The Author
Stewwart levison is the Anti-aging expert who consistantly provide useful resources to helping people. http://anti-agingsecrets.com/nutrition
Jackpot Pie
2 pounds ground beef
1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cans tomato soup
3 cups water
8 ounces egg noodles
2 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup sliced stuffed olives
2 cans(20 ounces each)cream style corn
1 cup grated cheese(any kind)
Recipe:
Brown ground beef and remove from pan. Add butter and saute onion until tender. Add to meat along with soup, water and salt and pepper to taste. Add uncooked noodles and simmer for 10 minutes. Add worcestershire sauce, olives, corn and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes in a 3 quart cassorole dish.
Source: The Church Supper Cookbook
Rice Pudding
1/2 cup uncooked rice
3 cups boiling water
1/2 tsp. salt
One 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
4 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup raisins
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Combine rice, boiling water and salt into top of double boiler. Cook over rapidly boiling water until rice is tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in sweetened condensed milk, butter and raisins. Cook, stirring frequently, over boiling water until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Source: Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics
Italian Chicken Sticks
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Pinch of ground red pepper
8 boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2 inch strips
Marinara sauce or honey mustard for dipping
Recipe:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a plate or platter, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan, thyme, basil, oregano, salt, garlic powder and red pepper.
Dip the chicken strips in the melted butter, then dredge in the bread crumb mixture. Place the chicken strips in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken strips hot with marinara sauce or serve hot or cold with honey mustard.
Source: Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics
Fruit carving is one of the oldest traditions followed in the Oriental countries, China, Japan, Thailand and some Asian countries in particular. This
Fruit carving is one of the oldest traditions followed in the Oriental countries, China, Japan, Thailand and some Asian countries in particular. This artistic tradition generally centers on some festivities where the beautiful sculptures draw the attention of the people. In fact carving of fruits is an exquisite work of art. In China, watermelon carving is the most popular. Fruit carving can also be done on such fruits as carrots, papaya, pumpkins and other smaller fruits for carving individual items. But watermelon carvings appear to be highly attractive on account of its varied colors and size. The contrasting colors of melons lend a striking effect to the finished product, making them all the more appealing.
Prior to the execution of your carving skill, it is essential to make all the proper arrangements. A good carving knife with a single sharp pointed blade is a must- have in this case. Carving on a watermelon is done in a relief format; it can be just a simple cut out or carry an intricate engraving. This Chinese artistic sculpture is of ancient origin that has been passed down through the generations. In modern days, this wonderful tradition has found great recognition and popularity throughout the world. The varying tones and colors of watermelons (pink, white, green) work wonders to give a contrasting effect to the sculptures.
Watermelon sculptures can turn out to be the cynosure for any occasion or international event. This artwork can be exhibited at any cultural platform to showcase some wonderful talents. The carvings done on the watermelons are endless, ranging from teapots to flower vases, to little animals or even trophies. These amazing designs are carved out using carving tools and melon ballers. The carving tool is used to cut out intricate patterns while the melon baller scoops out larger sections. The melon baller is particularly helpful in carving out large unique shapes such as a fish, basket or fruit holder. The watermelon rind is very easy to cut into and amateurs can begin with cutting the rind to create large designs.
Watermelon carving can be a great fun with the kids too. In fact, being an excellent source of vitamins and a tasty fruit, kids can have a great time learning this art and absorbing the benefits of this fruit. This unique art sculpture should be encouraged among the children not only to propagate and keep alive the ancient tradition but also to give way to the creation of masterpieces of the future.
About The Author
Suzanne Macguire is an Internet marketing professional with expertise in content development and technical writing in a variety of industries.
http://www.sundiacorp.com/
I Love German Wine and Food - A Rheinhessen Dornfelder
If you are hankering for some fine German wine and food, you should take a look at the Rheinhessen region of southwestern Germany. Who knows, you may even find a bargain, and I think that you'll enjoy yourself on this fact-filled wine education tour in which we review a local red Dornfelder.
Rheinhessen is a relatively small area, sometimes called the land of the thousand hills, nestled between the Rhine and the Nahe Rivers. It already was known for its wines in the days of Charlemagne. To some extent it is famous or infamous for Liebfraumilch, to be reviewed in another article in this series. It is the German region with both the largest area planted in wine grapes and the highest wine production. Rheinhessen alone claims over a quarter of the German wine acreage and wine production. It is also produces the highest percentage of generally low quality table wine, coming in at almost 12%. More than 60% of Rheinhessen wine is middle quality QbA wine, and a bit more than 25% is higher quality QmP wine. About seven of eight bottles contain white wine, but the percentage of red wine is increasing. The most widely grown varieties are the German hybrid Mueller-Thurgau and Silvaner. The usually higher quality Riesling represents about 10% of the total production. Dornfelder is the most widely planted red grape variety. The marketing materials, quoted below, present one viewpoint of this German-bred grape.
Mainz has a population of about eighty thousand. It is one of the centers of the German wine trade. It is the state capital of Rheinland-Pfalz which is the only German state government with a wine minister. The city is built on the site of a two thousand year-old Roman citadel. In this part of the world two thousand years is a short time; a local museum contains three hundred thousand year-old artifacts. In season the Marktplatz (Market) and Höfchen (Little Courtyard) buzz with farmers selling their wares on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Check the exact dates for the annual Sektfest (Sparkling Wine Festival) held in late May or early June and then Johannisnacht, another wine festival several weeks later.
Other sites to see include the Dom (Cathedral of St. Martin and St. Stephan) which broke ground shortly prior to the turn of the first millennium. Because of seven fires most of the Cathedral is newer, dating from the Eleventh to the Thirteenth Centuries. The cloisters contain a museum of religious artifacts. Right near by is the Gutenberg Museum. Other local museums are devoted to the Middle Ages, Roman warships, art, plants, animals, and fossils. If all this touring makes you thirsty for more than knowledge visit the Kupferberg Sektkellerei (sparkling wine cellars), the deepest on earth. There are several concert halls, theaters, night clubs, and wine bars. Not far from the city are the Mainz Sand Dunes, a tiny area home to plants and animals rarely seen in Western Europe.
Before reviewing the Rheinhessen wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Zweibelkuchen (Onion Pie). For your second course enjoy Haxen und Bratkartoffeln (Pork Hocks and Home Fries). As a dessert indulge yourself with Frankfurter Kranz (Buttercream Cake).
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed Rappenhof Dornfelder Trocken 2004 13.0% alcohol about $15.50
Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. Dornfelder is a cross, bred in 1956 by August Herold. In its genealogy, the grape claims every important red vine grown in Germany. Fortunately, it has inherited most of the positive attributes and very few of the negative. The wines are deeply coloured, velvety in texture with hints of floral. Slightly off-dry, this example gives good aroma replays on the palate. Serve with Wiener schnitzel. Now for the review. (By the way, I found its color more of a dark rose.)
My first pairing was with a barbecued, marinated rib steak with potato patties, potato wedges, and a commercially prepared eggplant and tomato side dish. The wine was very short with moderate fruit when imbibed with the meat and potatoes. It crept back into the woodwork when faced with a fairly powerful eggplant dish.
The next tasting involved a cheeseless broccoli, mushroom, and zucchini quiche with mashed potatoes. The Dornfelder tasted sour and I sensed some sort of strange fruit in the background. I finished the glass with beer nuts. The wine was fairly flat but its sourness disappeared.
The final meal consisted of meatballs in a tomato sauce with rice and green beans. The wine was somewhat rounder than before but was still ever so short. I thought I was drinking an alcoholic fruit juice.
The initial cheese pairing was with a French goat cheese that really resembled a Camembert. While the wine was a bit flat it did taste lightly of black cherries. Then I went to a Swiss Gruyere. The Dornfelder became somewhat more robust but the fruit was less distinctive. I finished the bottle with a local, fairly sharp Asiago cheese that I prefer to its presumably more authentic Italian cousin. Finally a decent pairing; the wine was pleasant.
Final verdict. I didn't plan to be reviewing two Dornfelders in such short order. But we don't get many of them in our neck of the woods so I figured why not give it a try. There certainly won't be a third round in the near future. I fail to see why such a grape should cost more than many better grapes from German and other countries. Of course, if I had liked the wine...
About The Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but would rather just drink fine German, Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. His major wine website is http://www.theworldwidewine.com which links to his other web sites.