Among the long list of cuisine styles throughout the world, you have a wide range of choices, so you never get bored when cooking. If you have the right recipe and fresh ingredients, you will be able to make your own version of any dish, even if you are not an expert cook.
When you feel like eating something spicy, savory, sour, bitter and yet sweet, the right choice is to go with Asian cuisine, specifically Thai Cuisine. Not many other cuisines can be as exotic and flavorful as this one. If you have never tried anything Thai yet, it is time to do it.
The flavors and influences of Thai cuisine
Being Thailand surrounded by other countries with very strong and authentic food, it is inevitable to influence each other and give birth to interesting dishes that combine the best of each culture. That is one of the many reasons that make Thailand Cuisine one of the main attractions for tourists from all over the world.
Thai cuisine’s influences come from four different regions of the country that make their whole gastronomy:
- When it comes to sticky rice, grilled meats, dishes full of vegetables and herbs, and salads a bit fermented (in the good way), the northeast region of the country offers a variety of choices to experience the original flavors of this country’s cuisine.
- Over the northeast region of Thailand is where the influences of its neighboring countries are more visible, this part of the country is famous for the contrast between textures and flavors, and the star dish is Khao Soi.
- If, for some reason, you have heard of the curry pastes and Pad Thai dishes, it is because those come from the central region of Thailand’s cuisine, Bangkok. The cuisine of this region is probably the best example of the global Thai gastronomy concept.
- The most intense and perhaps the least known yet very creative flavors of Thai cuisine are in the southern region. Here you will find all kinds of dishes with seafood and meats, and most recipes use citronella and kaffir lime to add more flavor.
Rice and seafood, the trademark of Thai cuisine
With the multiple culinary choices from this country, you might think it is difficult to really understand what the original flavors of this exotic place are. But, if there are two ingredients easy to find anywhere and vital to Thai cuisine, those surely are Rice and Seafood.
Rice is one of the most important ingredients in almost all dishes all over Asia, and Thailand is no exception. Actually, this Asian country is also known for being the exporter of one of the most aromatic kinds of rice, Jasmine Rice.
Thanks to the open access to the sea, and its versatility to be easily adapted to Thai cuisine traditions, shrimp is another of the most common ingredients in most vibrant and flavorful recipes.
Thai Rice and Shrimp salad
The easiest way to combine these two ingredients is a salad. It is very refreshing, light, and if you know at least how to cook, you should be fine. You will also need some other ingredients such as herbs, spices, and dressings to add the real Thai flavors. Below you will find a very easy shrimp salad recipe with Jasmine rice.
- 2 cups of Jasmine rice, uncooked.
- 1 lb. of frozen, cooked shrimp, peeled, thawed, and deveined.
- ½ cup of salted peanuts, chopped.
- ½ cup of coconut milk.
- ¼ cup of rice vinegar or regular vinegar.
- 1 tablespoon of oil.
- 2 tablespoons of basil, chopped.
- Salt to taste.
Preparation
Once you have all the ingredients, follow the steps below to delight yourself with a delicious and fresh rice and shrimp salad.
- Follow the cooking directions on the package of the rice you chose. Once it is cooked, set aside for around 10 to 20 minutes.
- Then, mix the oil, vinegar, and milk in a small bowl. Add the basil and the salt and set aside.
- In a bigger bowl, medium size, put the rice, shrimp and coconut milk mixture, combine well.
- Serve it on a plate or a serving bowl, garnish with some more basil and peanuts.
- Enjoy your salad!
If you feel like experimenting with this dish, you can add different kinds of herbs to get more aromas and flavors out of your salad.