In most countries if you ask someone where they want to go for food, a Thai restaurant will be on the tips of most people’s tongues or certainly in their top 3. Thailand is renowned for its street food, culinary traditions and balance of flavours. From the inner city markets of Bangkok to the beaches of Phuket, Thai food tells the story of its culture with each bite. After you come back from Thailand (or even a Thai restaurant) bringing these authentic flavours into your kitchen might seem challenging. However, with the right cooking and marinade sauces, you can recreate the magic of Thailand in your home quite easily.
The Essence of Thai Cuisine
Thai food is celebrated for its blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements. Achieving this balance requires fresh ingredients and the correct spices and sauces. Essential to many Thai dishes are fish sauce, oyster sauce, tamarind paste, and coconut milk. However, what truly elevates Thai cooking is the natural chilli cooking sauce, which captures the spiciness of Thai food.
Why Choose All-Natural Sauces?
When it comes to cooking authentic Thai dishes, quality matters. All-natural cooking and marinade sauces provide:
- Pure Ingredients: Free from artificial additives, preservatives, and colours, these sauces ensure that the natural flavours shine through.
- Health Benefits: Natural ingredients often retain their nutritional value, offering health benefits such as antioxidants and vitamins.
- Authenticity: Using organic sauces helps maintain the integrity of traditional Thai recipes to make sure each dish tastes as close to the original as possible.
Exploring Thai Dishes with All-Natural Sauces
- Tom Yum Soup
This iconic Thai soup is a great combo of flavours. Start with a base of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, prawns, and then stir in an all-natural Tom Yum paste. Finish with a dash of coconut milk and fish sauce for that extra kick of flavour.
- Pad Thai
A beloved street food, Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish that combines sweet, sour, and salty notes. Use an all-natural Pad Thai sauce made from tamarind pulp, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Add tofu, shrimp or chicken, along with bean sprouts, peanuts, and lime wedges to complete this classic dish.
- Green Curry
Green curry is a creamy and aromatic dish that uses green chilli paste as its base. Prepare the curry with a mixture of coconut milk, green curry paste, and an assortment of vegetables and proteins. Serve it with jasmine rice and you’re ready to eat.
- Grilled Meats with Marinades
Marinated meats are a staple in Thailand, often enjoyed as street food skewers. Use an all-natural marinade sauce featuring ingredients like garlic, coriander root, and white pepper. Marinate chicken, beef, or pork overnight, then grill to perfection for a smoky meat treat.
Tips for Cooking with Natural Sauces
- Start Small: Add sauces gradually to avoid overpowering the dish. It’s easier to add more than to correct an overly strong flavour.
- Pair with Fresh Ingredients: Complement the natural flavours of the sauces with fresh herbs, vegetables, and quality proteins.
- Balance Flavours: Remember the core tenets of Thai cuisine – balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy components for an authentic taste.
Thai cuisine’s charm lies in its perfect balance of flavours. By using all-natural cooking and marinade sauces, you can bring the rich culinary traditions of Thailand into your home in an authentic and healthful way.
