Sunday, April 01, 2007

More Thai!

A fascinating dish. And where to buy ingredients in Denver.

Ever since I bumped up against Thai cuisine a few years ago, I’ve been fascinated by it.

Unfortunately, here in Pueblo, we don’t have as many opportunities to enjoy it as the folks up in Denver have. So, what to do....

...learn to make it yourself is the only answer. So that’s what I’ve been trying. But it helps to have (1) good recipes and (2) good ingredients.

I’ve succeeded in item 1 with a small book I got from the bargains table at the local Barnes & Noble. The book, Thai, is a collection of superior recipes. I’ve tried a dozen of them and each one has been a smash hit. And, in light of how ‘frugal’ most Mensans are, getting this book for as little as $2 (plus shipping) via Amazon, ain’t bad.

That was the first part; good recipes.

The second part, good ingredients, is dicey, at best, here in Pueblo. However, in Denver, things are much easier.

If you’re serious about spicey food, in Pueblo, all you’ve got is Mexican cuisine. But you get great opportunities on the ingredients for such. However, for spicey Thai ingredients you need to go up to Denver. And, as far as I’ve determined, THE place to go is Viet Hoa Supermarket, on West Alameda. They’ve got it all. And at great prices.

For instance, Green Curry Paste. I made the Quick Green Chicken Curry (page 52) for dinner last night. Served it over a bed of egg noodles. As a side dish I made the Stir-Fried Green Vegetables (page 62). [Note: The sauce of 1 Tbls Fish Sauce, 1 Tbls Oyster Sauce and 1 tsp Sugar was the kicker on that dish.] Presented in a big, deep bowl, like they do at Thai Hiep; noodles underneath, meat dish on one side above the noodles, veggies on the other side.

Sure, you can get green curry paste at Vitamin Cottage; at $6 for a couple of ounces. However, at Viet Hoa, Mae Ploy’s Green Curry Paste is only a couple of bucks for about a pound. That’s just ONE example. The big, old supermarket is choke full of great ingredients for whatever form of oriental cooking you’re interested in. And we all know how ‘frugal’ Mensans are.

Whenever we’re passing through Denver, for whatever reason, we always stop in at Viet Hoa to restock on various ingredients for fine oriental cooking. The people who live in Denver, and put up with the crazy drivers, can visit Thai Heip or Singapore Grill. We in the hinterlands, who live a more laid-back lifestyle, just need to visit Viet Hoa and learn to cook for ourselves.

Heck....if I wanted to spend 14 hours a day on my feet, I could open a Thai restaurant here and make a killing. I’m certain that even Mexicans get tired of chili all the time.