The Wandering Kitchen: Thailand
In the Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s Wandering Kitchen Travel Blog Series, we’re taking you on a virtual trip to some of the best places on Earth for world-class cuisine. Whether it comes from your backyard or a different continent, good food has the power to transport you anywhere you want to go. So while you might not travel to the heart of India, the Caribbean, or the boot of Italy by plane, train, or automobile, you can take your taste buds on a trip simply by turning your dining table into a delicious destination for some of the world’s best food.
We’ll be featuring locations near and far known for their food, inspirational recipes to try in your own kitchen, as well as products you can find in the Co-op to give you a taste of the cuisine.
In this edition of The Wandering Kitchen, we’re headed across the Pacific Ocean to Thailand! From the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to the calm, serene, calm views of Chiang Mai, there's something for every type of traveler, and eater. As far as food is concerned, it goes without saying that Thailand has impacted cuisine throughout the world.
Why Thailand?
From rich, spicy soups to decadently seasoned noodle dishes, Thai food has an unmistakable flavor that's bright, potent, and well-spiced.
A big boom of tourism to Thailand in the '80s led to a huge surge in the popularity of Thai food, and it hasn't slowed since. With such a large global influence, of course Thailand had to be a stop on our Wandering Kitchen world tour!
Thai-Inspired Recipes
Whether you want something warm and cozy or spicy and saucy, check out some of our favorite authentic Thai recipes to bring a full-flavored adventure to your home, no expensive plane ticket required.
Photo Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven
Thai Curry Hot Pot (Suki)
We'll start off on the warm and cozy path with Thai Curry Hot Pot (Suki)!
Inspired by Chinese hot pot, Suki is a communal, family-style dish that involves diners dipping meat, noodles, dumplings, and seafood into a pot of hot broth.
The broth at the table remains on a stovetop, allowing for the raw meat to be cooked before it's then dipped in a spicy sauce made of chili, lime, coriander, and other Thai spices.
This hot pot recipe is a great option for dinner parties, and you can go as simple or as extravagant as you want.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is Thailand's take on chicken noodle soup, and though the ingredients may be somewhat similar to what grandma used to make, the flavor is on a whole other level.
Made up of Thai ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, ginger, and galanga root, this creamy coconut-milk-based soup is fragrant, deeply flavored, and packed full of chicken and mushrooms.
This recipe from Feasting at Home offers both a stovetop and Instant Pot version, making it versatile for a busy weeknight meal.
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Pad Thai
Even if you've only been to a Thai restaurant once, you've likely had pad thai. It's that popular. Saucy, noodley, peanuty, limey, pad thai checks all the boxes of savory, sweet, and sour flavors you'd want in a dish.
In Thailand, pad thai is commonly sold as street food and is made up of rice noodles, chicken/beef/tofu, peanuts, a scrambled egg, and bean sprouts. With that said, there are many different iterations of pad thai, and other vegetables or seafood are sometimes mixed in, too.
With the right ingredients, pad thai is actually fairly simple to make at home! The recipe below includes some substitutes to make pad thai with less traditional ingredients, but we encourage you to source the more authentic ingredients to really enjoy this dish.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Khao Soi
Khao soi, otherwise known as coconut curry noodle soup, is fragrant, cozy, creamy, and packed full of coconuty Thai goodness.
Originating in the Nothern part of Thailand, khao soi comes together in just 15 minutes and is the perfect quick and easy soup for a chilly weeknight.
Shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and bell pepper are sauteed before being combined with garlic, red curry paste, turmeric, and cardamom to create a rich and flavorful broth. Next, cooked rice noodles, as well as chicken, tofu, or prawns, are added before being topped off with basil, bean sprouts, sliced onions, and any of your other favorite toppings.
Khao soi is easy to make in big batches, making it an easy option for a big dinner party.
Photo Courtesy of Inquiring Chef
Thai Iced Tea
With a distinctive orange color, and a creamy, sweet flavor, you can find Thai iced tea at both Thai restaurants and on the streets of Bangkok.
Luckily, Thai iced tea is also super simple to enjoy at home!
A premade Thai tea mix is combined with sugar before being cooled and mixed with condensed milk to give the drink its signature creamy texture.
If you're dairy-free, try subbing in coconut milk with an extra dash of sugar or another sweetener.
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Tom Yum
Do you like a clear broth for your soup? Or a creamy broth? Either way, this recipe for Tom Yum has directions for both!
Tom Yum is a healthy, flavorful Thai soup that features prawn/shrimp, mushrooms, tomato, onion, cilantro, and a light, but flavorful broth comprised of chicken stock, chili, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
Photo Courtesy of Food52
Khao Niew Ma Muang (Mango Sticky Rice)
Though sweet sticky rice and mango slices may seem like a simple dessert, you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how special, and decadent, it is!
Glutinous rice is cooked and combined with warmed coconut milk before being served up with sliced, perfectly ripe mangos.
You can top your dessert with toasted sesame seeds or leave as-is.
Find the full recipe at Food52
Thai Food Staples Available at the Co-op
Thai produce items including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chilis, and jackfruit.
Thai Kitchen ingredients including coconut milk, rice noodles, curry paste, pad thai mix, and more.
Jasmine rice - Available in Bulk