We took the MRT early to get to Chatuchak market – a humongous market (covers 30 or so acres!) It wasn’t crowded when we arrived, but by the time we left I couldn’t stand it any longer, and walking to Mo Chit station was like swimming upstream against the current! We picked up a few odds and ends, but, frankly, saw better deals elsewhere. A gazillion clothing stalls and just about anything else too!
Category Archives: Thailand
Bangkok
Bangkok, it’s been 20 years and you’ve come a long way!
The thick pollution is gone.
No more signs “death to drug traffickers” at DonMueng airport.
Easy mass transport system with bus and sky rail from airport. We used to clamber over a fence and cross a dual-carriage way highway to catch the non a/c bus that took forever to get to town.
The hotel we used to stay in was $9 a night – I see it is now in $60s! But we are staying in a lovely hotel Galleria10 for $60 odd.
The heat is still here – 94 today!
Off to the pool – will explore further tonight and then off to Chatuchak market early in the morning!
Chiang Mai choices
Riding a red cab…. these can either be hired individually as a cheaper, non-a/c option, or can be caught randomly from the roadside if they are going the route you need.
…..to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – a ride up and up (on twisty turn roads) out of the city for a good 30 minutes.
Walking the Old City
Markets
Spending a day at Thai Farm Cooking School where we learned many new (to us) techniques and prepared and cooked five courses which we also consumed! It meant no dinner last night!!
Dash Restaurant – a terrific place to eat. The open post and beam house built entirely of teak.
Christmas services at All Saints Anglican Church – it just wouldn’t have been Christmas without celebrating in church!
Eating khao soi – the specialty of this region of Thailand.
Real-Deal Khao Soi Gai (Northern Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup With Chicken)
About This Recipe
| YIELD: | Serves 4 |
| ACTIVE TIME: | 45 minutes |
| TOTAL TIME: | 2 hours |
| SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: | wok, large granite mortar and pestle |
| THIS RECIPE APPEARS IN: | Four Essential Northern Thai Dishes to Make Right NowRecipes From Chiang Mai: How to Make Real Deal Khao Soi Gai (Coconut Curry Noodle Soup With Chicken) |
Ingredients
- 1 whole dried Thai bird chili (or 1 whole chile de arbol), more or less to taste
- 2 whole small shallots, peeled and split into quarters
- 4 whole cloves garlic
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bottom 4 inches only, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon makrut lime zest, or 2 whole makrut lime leaves (see note above)
- 1 (1-inch) knob fresh turmeric, roughly chopped
- 2 thin slices ginger
- 1 small bunch cilantro stalks, cut from the very base of the stalks, leaves and thin stems reserved for another use
- 1 teaspoon whole coriander seed
- 6 pods Thai black cardamom or 1 pod green cardamom, inner seeds only
- Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Thai shrimp paste
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 pound fresh Chinese-style egg noodles, divided
- 2 (15-ounce) cans coconut milk, or 2 cups fresh coconut milk (do not shake)
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar (see note above)
- 4 chicken legs, split into drumsticks and thighs
- Fish sauce to taste
- Sliced shallots, lime wedges, and pickled Chinese mustard root (see note above) for serving
Procedures
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Place chili, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, lime zest, turmeric, ginger, cilantro stalks, coriander seed, and cardamom in the center of a 12- by 12-inch square of heavy duty aluminum foil. Gather edges up to make a tight pouch. Place pouch directly over the flame of a gas burner and cook, turning occasionally, until aromatic and wisps of smoke begin to rise, about 8 minutes. If no gas burner is available, place the pouch in the bottom of a wok or cast iron skillet and heat over high heat, turning occasionally, until smoky, about 10 minutes. Allow contents to cool slightly and transfer to a large mortar and pestle.
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Add a large pinch of salt to the aromatics. Pound until a very fine paste is formed, about 10 minutes. Add shrimp paste and pound to incorporate. Set curry paste mixture aside.
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Separate out 1/4 of the noodles (enough noodles to make a crispy fried-noodle topping for 4 bowls) and set the remaining noodles aside. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, add noodles to oil and fry, stirring and flipping until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with salt and set aside.
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Discard all but 1 tablespoon oil from wok. Using a spoon, skim 2 tablespoons of creamy fat off the top of the coconut milk and add to the wok. Heat wok over high heat and cook, stirring constantly, until coconut milk breaks and oil begins to lightly smoke, about 2 minutes. Add curry paste mixture and cook, stirring and smearing the paste into the oil, until aromatic, about 45 seconds.
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Slowly whisk in the coconut milk, followed by the chicken stock and palm sugar. Add chicken legs and bring to a simmer. Cook, turning chicken occasionally, until chicken is tender and broth is very flavorful, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with fish sauce.
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Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add remaining uncooked noodles and cook until al dente, about 1 minute. Drain noodles and divide between four warmed bowls. Top noodles with two pieces of chicken. Divide broth evenly between bowls. Top with fried noodles and serve immediately with sliced shallots, lime wedges, and pickled mustard greens on the side.