Basic Cooking Techniques and Tips

Thai cooking is much easier than you think. Yup, it’s true. When I gathered a group of friends for an impromptu Thai cooking class at my house the other day, they couldn’t believe how simple and quick it was to make. “Are you kidding me? It takes longer for take-out to get to my door and the restaurant is less than a mile away.” Thai cooks pride themselves on simplicity of technique. At its very core, Thai cooking is about using the freshest ingredients, with an emphasis on aromatic herbs and spices, to achieve a balance of hot, sweet, sour, and salty flavors in every dish. In fact, the actual cooking time for most Thai dishes is 15 to 30 minutes! With a couple of exceptions, it’s all about fast cooking at high heat levels and using interesting herbs and spices, usually at the beginning and end of cooking. Okay, it’s time to throw out those take-out menus and follow these simple, no-fail rules for healthier, tastier, and easier Thai meals at home. Ready, set, go!