Breakfast: Thai-Style Fried Rice (Khao Pad)
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup diced chicken or tofu
- 1/2 cup diced vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, bell pepper)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Add chicken or tofu, cooking until browned.
- Add vegetables, cooking until tender.
- Push ingredients to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten egg onto the other side.
- Scramble the egg and mix it with the other ingredients.
- Add rice, fish sauce, and sugar, stirring to combine.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions, cilantro, and peanuts (if using).
Lunch: Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded green papaya
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
< li>1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1-2 Thai bird's eye chilies, smashed (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded papaya, carrots, and tomatoes.
- In a separate bowl, mix fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chilies.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Top with crushed peanuts before serving.
Dinner: Pad Thai
Ingredients
- 200g rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 200g shrimp or chicken, sliced
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Crushed peanuts and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain.
- Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat, add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add shrimp or chicken and cook until done.
- Push the ingredients to one side, pour in the beaten eggs, and scramble.
- Add the noodles, fish sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar, stirring to combine.
- Add bean sprouts and green onions, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.
Appetizer: Thai Spring Rolls
Ingredients
- 10 rice paper wrappers
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, sliced
- 1 cup lettuce leaves, shredded
- 1/2 cup vermicelli noodles, cooked
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- Peanut sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Soak rice paper wrappers in warm water until soft.
- Place a wrapper on a flat surface and layer with shrimp, lettuce, noodles, mint, and cilantro.
- Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly.
- Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
- Serve with peanut sauce for dipping.
Dessert: Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang)
Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and sliced
- Sesame seeds or mung beans for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Soak the glutinous rice in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Drain the rice and steam it for about 30 minutes until cooked.
- In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt, heating until dissolved.
- Once the rice is cooked, mix it with half of the coconut milk mixture and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- To serve, place a portion of the sticky rice on a plate, top with mango slices, and drizzle with the remaining coconut milk mixture.
- Garnish with sesame seeds or mung beans if desired.