So, I cheat. I cheat big time with canned coconut milk and some prepackaged ingredients that I supplement my mom’s taste buds and embellish my creative artistic talents.

When I first came to the States most people didn’t know what Thai food was never mind where Thailand existed. I find that most people I talk to still have to look on a map. Today it has become the most fashionable type of food in New York and perhaps the world.. So many people ask me to recommend a good Thai restaurant or cookbook.

To be honest, growing up Thai does not make me an expert on Thai things. It’s like asking an average Englishman, Frenchman or German to be an expert on their country. (Loving to eat, what a disappointment that he can’t even make toast correctly. Oh, off topic oops.)

I don’t eat Thai food out much, because I have usually been on a student budget or worst, very disappointed. Most Thai foods have been marketed and Americanized aka made for gringos, by being sweeter or more saucy. "It is just not like mom’s." Besides, there is something very satisfying and nurturing about being a creator rather than a consumer. I spend most of my time in NYC, so it is just too easy to order out with a Thai restaurant on ever corner, and then off to starbucks. To me, Thai food is comfort food, or soul food. Perhaps, I am strange. But I envision cooking as one of the few daily routines that we have left that we can still be expressive and artistic. That is so important to me. :-)

OK, you caught me, To be honest again, I have a lot of Thai cookbooks but don’t use any recipes. I love the exotic graphical images, the inspiration to cook and use them as a grocery check list. I love the art of cooking. Like my mentor chef, mom, I am an emotional cook, who stirs in love and measures by taste, texture and aroma instead of spoons and cups.

So I am including some of my favorites: Bare in mind that I borrowed these recipes from a site. I have never tried them. Perhaps I should before I post them up, but as stated, I am trying to build web sites, not become the iron chef. Remember, I use these recipes as a grocery check list.

Here is my transmission to you as my mom gave to me.
Sorry if it sounds sort of corny and preachy, but that is my mom.
Feel the force (yeah, I added that), your taste buds are your best friend and part of you. Like love, you can't take measurements. Cups and spoons mean little when every year the harvest is different depending on the sun and rain, which makes the spices hard to judge in intensity. So you must cook with love, emotion taste and texture. Cook every meal with the utmost care and joy. Most of all, enjoy and share the experience with people you love.
Thanks mom.

Other recipes are in the Thai-red Taste Tour, it will bring up a new page and there is a bit of a wait, size is about 200k, so please be patient it is well worth it. Remember I am in the process of working on it. So if you find problems please email me. Hope no one gets motion sickness by the 360 degree panorama.

Enjoy, happy cooking, eating and socializing.

Mikki