Thai Pad Kee Mao

The literal translation of Pad kee Mao is Stir fry Drunken Noodles. Thai Pad Kee Mao is a combination of holy basil, fresh chillis and rice Noodles. Orient Zing's version adds additional beef, prawns and baby corn for a a variety of flavours.

Singaporian Chilli Mud Crab

My mum claims there is a secret to cooking singaporian crab. This dish is easy to make but needs the right fresh herbs and spices. Lemon grass, fresh chilli, tomato sauce and fresh green onion.

Traditional Lao Beef Larb

My second attempt at making traditional Beef Larb. I have to say that it is gets easy to cook this dish. I love the smell of fresh herbs, lime and grounded rice. It really does take you back to your roots.

Larb reminds me of Lao New Year, family sitting on the Lao 'Saet' eating Larb with Sticky Rice and fresh vegetables. Grandpa always said 'Dont play with your food', but how could you now when you have rice stuck in between your fingers.

10 things i love about laos food
1. Sticky Rice
2. Fried Egg Omelette with Fresh Dill and Chilli
3. Spicy Beef + Pork Sausages
4. Fried Chicken Wings
5. Larb, yes Chicken and Beef
6. Dried Beef or Sien Savan
7. Fresh Papaya Salad
8. Mok Kaay
9. Okk Bon
10. Okk Larm

Ingredients

1.5 kg of Beef Rump Steak
1 piece of honeycomb tripe
1 fresh minced galangal
3 tbsp fresh chilli powder (or to taste) finely chopped
4tbsp of rice powder
1 stalk of lemon grass, chopped into fine slices
3 bunches of chopped spikey coriander chopped
2 bunch of chopped coriander
3 green of chopped shallots
2 bunches of chopped fresh Vietnamese mint leaves
2tbsp of fish sauce
1tspn of sugar
3 fresh limes

Instructions

1. Fill water with pot and bring to boil. Place tripe into the water for 5-8 minutes. Leave to cool. Once the tripe is cool, thinly slice the tripe length wise.
2. Grill beef until cook or leave pink in the middle for a more tender taste. Set the beef aside once cooked to seal natural juices. Once the beef is cooled, cut the beef into small pieces.
3. Add the beef and tripe to a mixing bowl. Add rice power, galangal and lemon grass, chill, sugar, fish sauce and lemon.
4. Add fresh vegetables to the flavoured beef.
5. Taste the beef larb. The larb should be spicy and zesty. Add Additional ingredients to taste.
6. Serve with sticky rice and fresh vegetables like cucumber and salad.