Perhaps, sometimes I talk about things too generally and I would like to dedicate more attention to specific areas of daily life. One area that deserves more attention is food. It is, of course, central to living. In addition, if you know me, you know that cooking is one of my favorite things to do and explore. Back home, I am a connoisseur of creating and trying new dishes. I seldom use recipes rather, I try to invent my own combination of ingredients that more often than not turn out to be a jumble of wonderfullness. For me, the fun of cooking and enjoying the food I've created is being inventive, not following recipes, and learning by trial and error. It's a little like my life motto...
At any rate, being placed in Thailand has definitely been to my advantage in nurturing my passion for cooking (and eating). Thailand has been known as the 'kitchen to the world' and is widely recognized as having an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, spices, and meats coupled with some of the finest chefs who know how to turn these raw materials into amazing dishes. When I traveled to Thailand three years ago, I was able to get an introduction into Thai food and Thai cooking. With my limited knowledge, I grew into regularly cooking currys and stir-frys for family and friends back home. But, now that I have been here for 3 months, my horizons have expanded.
It should be a truism that most every Thai woman is an amazing cook. I was lucky to have lived with such women and continue to be surrounded by them. So far, I have picked up on new styles of cooking--like using a wak or a grindstone and mallet. My host families have taught me to make a Thai omlet, perfect a curry, cook using new spices and herbs (namely tamarind, lemongrass. and various types of basil), deep fry seafood, and fry vegetables in ways I never thought possible. I've also begun to learn the art of making Papaya Salad and different renditions of it using other vegetables and levels of spice. Just think, this is only the beginning! I get excited just thinking about the possibilities of everything I have yet to learn.
On the eating side, things are going just as well. Before I departed to Thailand, I was cautioned that men Volunteers usually lose weight and women Volunteers usually gain. Now I understand why. Obviously, men and women's bodies adapt differently to changes in diet and metabolism. Eating rice 3 times a day (I believe) can be a partial reason as to why women gain weight. It's also just generally easy to eat more than is necessary because the food is so darn good and Thais love to cook and eat as a social pastimes. I've experienced this firsthand both in the home and at restaurants. It is impressive how much Thai people can eat yet remain so tiny in stature! I can honestly say that though Thai Restaurants back in the States have very good food, the food there hardly compares to the real deal in Thailand. It just does not do it justice. I sometimes wonder what my life was like before Pad Thai and mangoes and sticky rice! Daft!
At any rate, being placed in Thailand has definitely been to my advantage in nurturing my passion for cooking (and eating). Thailand has been known as the 'kitchen to the world' and is widely recognized as having an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, spices, and meats coupled with some of the finest chefs who know how to turn these raw materials into amazing dishes. When I traveled to Thailand three years ago, I was able to get an introduction into Thai food and Thai cooking. With my limited knowledge, I grew into regularly cooking currys and stir-frys for family and friends back home. But, now that I have been here for 3 months, my horizons have expanded.
It should be a truism that most every Thai woman is an amazing cook. I was lucky to have lived with such women and continue to be surrounded by them. So far, I have picked up on new styles of cooking--like using a wak or a grindstone and mallet. My host families have taught me to make a Thai omlet, perfect a curry, cook using new spices and herbs (namely tamarind, lemongrass. and various types of basil), deep fry seafood, and fry vegetables in ways I never thought possible. I've also begun to learn the art of making Papaya Salad and different renditions of it using other vegetables and levels of spice. Just think, this is only the beginning! I get excited just thinking about the possibilities of everything I have yet to learn.
On the eating side, things are going just as well. Before I departed to Thailand, I was cautioned that men Volunteers usually lose weight and women Volunteers usually gain. Now I understand why. Obviously, men and women's bodies adapt differently to changes in diet and metabolism. Eating rice 3 times a day (I believe) can be a partial reason as to why women gain weight. It's also just generally easy to eat more than is necessary because the food is so darn good and Thais love to cook and eat as a social pastimes. I've experienced this firsthand both in the home and at restaurants. It is impressive how much Thai people can eat yet remain so tiny in stature! I can honestly say that though Thai Restaurants back in the States have very good food, the food there hardly compares to the real deal in Thailand. It just does not do it justice. I sometimes wonder what my life was like before Pad Thai and mangoes and sticky rice! Daft!
Alas, I have come to a happy medium and am learning to cook and enjoy food in Thailand through moderation and slowing down to savor every last bite. As far as I know, I've managed to ward off the "New Volunteer 15" (15 Lbs., that is) through a balance of diet and exercise (biking every day helps). But, nevertheless, I continue to enjoy every meal and in between food. It is also worth noting that eating for most Thais is a social and/or family event. It is a time when people can come together and enjoy the company of each other while enjoying their meals. People spend hours meticulously preparing meals and spend an equal amount around the table eating. This is something I would like to relay back home to those of us who get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and make mealtime a quick fix to fulfill a necessity. Cooking and eating does not need to be a necessity or burden but it can be a time to slow down, gather with family and friends, discover a talent in cooking you thought you never had, and enjoying eating to live. This is something Thai culture has revived in me and perhaps something I knew all along from my own upbringing (thanks to my parents for trying to instill the value of the "slow food" movement) that I think we can all benefit from.
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