Things I Can't Live Without, Part 2

Patak's Curry Pastes
While I enjoy making my own curry pastes, sometimes time does not allow. When that's the case I always count on Pataks. They make a full range of pastes from mild to hot and the flavor is excellent. If you think a curry is just some curry powder mixed with some meat and vegetables, this will be a revelation.

Tony Chacheres Creole Seasoning
I am usually not a big fan of seasoning salts as they have too much salt taste and not enough flavor, but Tony’s is different. I first got turned on to this while in Louisiana and I have been hooked ever since. I love it sprinkled over chicken or beef before grilling. It really brings out the flavor of whatever you cook with without overwhelming it. Well worth a try.

Tra Chang Fish Sauce
This is the key to authentic Thai and Vietnamese cooking and you must have a fish sauce, or nouc mam that is full of flavor, but not too salty. Tra Chang ticks all the boxes and will really bring out the flavor and give you the real taste of Thailand. Buy your bottle and store it in the refrigerator and it will last better. Use sparingly and it goes great with Golden Mountain Sauce. See my November 30^th, 2011 post

Comments

Marlow and Son’s Butterbeans, Garlic Confit and Preserved Tomatoes

I first saw this recipe in Bon Appetit and was fascinated. It used interesting ingredients combined in a unique way and I had to try it. The recipe was given in response to an email from BA writer to Marlow chef Patch Troffer, but the recipe had no measurements and timing. After making it, I adjusted a few things and added quantities and timing and was very happy with the results. I ordered my dried beans from Rancho Gordo in Napa and they were excellent. To make it spectacular, you really do need to make the garlic confit and preserved tomatoes. They aren’t hard to make, but set aside a bit of time. Make a full recipe and then use the rest for other dishes. Garlic Confit 3 heads of Garlic, peeled and left whole. 3/4-1 cup Olive Oil 4 springs fresh Thyme 2 Bay Leaves 2 dried Chili Peppers Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and cook on barest simmer for 1-2 hours. (This broad cooking time is due to the fact that some garlic has more moisture

Norfolk Style Seafood

This is such a good recipe and so simple to make. The story behind this recipe is interesting. When I was a young boy, we used to go to a seafood restaurant in Washington DC called O'Donnell's. They had wonderful food, and most importantly, they had Buck. Buck was a gentle giant at 6' 2" and was always talking to me about his recipe. He had invented this style of cooking seafood and had even developed special pans which could be used over open flame and then it could be delivered to the tables still sizzling. He was rightfully very proud of this. After being there quite a few times, Buck shared his recipe with me and told me to keep it a secret. Since this was over 40 years ago, I guess I can reveal it now. Ingredients 1/2 lb Shrimp, Jumbo Lump Crab or Langoustines, raw and shelled 2 Tbsp Butter 2 cloves Garlic, chopped Dash of Old Bay Seasoning Juice of 1/2 Lemon Few dashes of Tabasco Splash of White Wine Salt and Black Pepper Heat your pan u

Golden Mountain Sauce

I love making Thai food at home, and I've always prided myself on getting that authentic Thai flavor, but if I’m completely honest, I have to admit it always seemed to be missing a little something. Well, I have found out what that little something was. It's called Golden Mountain Sauce and it has been called the "secret of Thai cooking" and has been used in Thailand for over 50 years. Use it as you would soy sauce, but mix it equal parts with fish sauce to get the real Thai flavor. Here is the perfect dish to try it out. Gai Pad Prik Grapao/Chicken with Hot Chilies and Basil Thais’ love fresh basil, and use many different types. Most of us are familiar with Sweet Basil, and this is easy to find in any market. However, it’s the “Holy Basil”, known as Bai Grapao, which is the most flavorful and authentic. This basil has an anise type of flavor and gives this dish an amazing flavor and dimension that just doesn’t taste the same with sweet basil.

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