For the first time since our trip began, our family split up and tackled different activities. Charlie and I signed up for a vegan cooking class lead by Thailand’s leading vegetarian chef, May Kaidee. May owns a couple of highly rated vegetarian restaurants in Bangkok that we ate at no fewer than four times. Her all-you-can-eat $5 buffet is the best meal I’ve had so far. The food was so enticing, I had to learn how to make it for myself.
Okay, allow me to brag for a moment. With the guidance of our cooking school instructor, Charlie and I cooked several dishes and – I swear – it was best Thai food we’ve ever eaten. We were astonished that we could produce dishes that were so tasty and authentic! We rolled out of there at the end of our lesson, stuffed with food and knowledge. If you ever come to Thailand, be sure to sign up for a cooking class!
Ready to Learn!
Ingredients prepped and ready! Actual cooking was very quick, just 4-5 minutes for each dish!
We opted for the extended class which included a trip to the local market, making six dishes at the wok (alternating between partners, so Charlie and I each got to cook three times), watching the preparation of six other sauces & dishes and finally taking a turn at making fresh spring rolls. We were given a booklet of recipes to bring home and the tooth fairy brought Charlie the full cookbook in exchange for two lost teeth.
Charlie gains confidence with her first dish, Tom Yam Soup
Mother-Daughter Team!
Massaman Curry, a new dish for us, becomes a quick favorite!
Two classes and two instructors. A very international group of clients – Americans, Canadians, Brazilians, Dutch, Polish and French!
We can’t wait to make some delicious Thai food for friends and family! If it doesn’t come out right, I’ll have to blame the lack of fresh, authentic ingredients, such as galangal, kaffir leaves, Thai basil, although I hope to acquire those things at an Asian supermarket at home. Who’s ready to come over for Tom Kha Soup, Pad Thai and Mango Sticky Rice?
Jenn’s Awesome Pad Thai with Homemade Peanut Sauce!
Wow, when are you coming home? Will be out the next week to taste some of those wonderful dishes. YOu are making some wonderful memories!!
This is the Jenn I remember!! Seeing a bandana around your head, your smiling face over a delicious and beautiful vegan dish (love your presentation!!), these pictures are bringing me right back and bringing up such great memories!! Such a sweet addition having Charlie right there next to you. Beautiful!!
PS, I’d love to come over for some Pad Thai and sticky mango rice!
Me, me! I want to eat this food! I’m coming over for lunch! What a wonderful idea to take cooking lessons. What a great experience. You must have had so much fun.
Sounds great! We’ll be over sometime in September for swimming and thai food. Somehow I don’t think we’ll be learning recipes as exotic (or as good) as this when we go to NZ and Oz this summer…
wow my mouth is watering reading about all those dishes you and charlie made.i`m sure you can produce them at home.it will thai food when we come visit in late summer.you`ll have to teach dad-yum!!love, mom xxoo