My hubby and I have been on a Thai food kick for the last couple of months. I can't really pinpoint when it came about, but it seems as though we have HAD to have it once a week, every week for a while now.
Of course, this addiction does not come cheaply. It is hard to swallow a $40 meal for just two people. No matter how good the Curry Chicken and Fried Rice are.
So I did what any other person what with a brain and some kitchen skills would do...I bought a cookbook.
I went to my local outlet mall, and perused the cookbook section. Not to be sidetracked by a really interesting New Orleans Cajun cookbook; I found this particular Thai cookbook, paid for my purchase and walked out, dreaming of the fabulous dinners I would be able to create using this new book.
Throughout the week, I read and made my decision to cook Shrimp Curry and Fried Rice. I even decided to make a variation of the Curry using chicken, for the kids and began to prepare my shopping list.
I began to seek out the ingredients I would need, my mouth watering with each prized acquisition added to my little collection.
Sunday night, after a day of degreasing my back patio, washing windows and cleaning out the garage, I began my adventure.
I prepped, I chopped, I read and reread the instructions and made my dinner.
My boys ate their chicken. Matthew was unimpressed with his meal but devoured the plain Jasmine rice. Andrew is much more adventurous and scarfed it down, asking for seconds.
My husband's verdict was that it was good, but I need to experiment.
And the funny thing is, I knew exactly what he meant. It was okay. Not great. Not exceptional. And it was definitely missing something.
Perhaps they add a secret ingredient at the restaurant, like, for instance, crack, to keep you coming back for more.
Maybe it was the $40 price tag and the fact that someone else made it.
Regardless, later on this week, I might attempt to go to the Asian market near the house and try a different brand of red curry paste. I might add red pepper flakes to the mix.
I will experiment.
In the meantime, I now understand that sometimes you just can't make it.
And more importantly, sometimes, $40 is a small price to pay for heaven on a plate.
Abso-freakin-lutely...sometimes the price tag is just worth it. I can make a good curry dish, I really can. Don't even need a cookbook anymore, but there is something ABSOLUTELY DIVINE about the Thai from East-West that makes me mouth have multiple food orgasms. Seriously? I think you may have just cursed me. I'm dreaming of the green curry with vegetables and silky tofu right now. Mmmmm.
ReplyDelete(Though, because I totally know what you mean, have you search TKW's site for Thai recipes. Always good to have a REAL person cooking this stuff and giving you the inside scoop.)
I don't think I've ever had Thai food. We live in NWKS and have a Chinese restaurant, but I don't think that is the same thing!
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps some of it is due to the exotic ingredients they have access to--I doubt you can find Thai basil in your grocery store, or galangal. That's why my Thai food is very good, but not quite the same as our favorite spot.
ReplyDeleteThat said, if you tinker around and come up with something "almost" there, then you may only need to get your crack takeout ONCE a month. I'm proud of you!
It works both ways. Although some foods I KNOW will be so much better from a restaurant, there are other meals that I SO prefer home cooked. Especially from the lame take out restaurants from here.
ReplyDeleteIm impressed by your efforts though! And maybe in time and with some playing around, you'll find you get close enough to the "real" thing!