Burmese Version of Larb, without Shrimp Sauce
You Do Need Sambal Oelek
Sambal Oelek
This recipe, which uses no Shrimp Paste, is a Burmese-Chinese version of Larb, the hearty Thai minced Meat dish. You do need Sambal Oelek, which is an Indonesian condiment, so this dish is really a confluence of Southeast Asian influences.
But theta’s not too surprising, as Burma borders on five countries and has borrowed from all of their cuisines while Continue reading
Where China Meets India
Crossroads of Asia
“The staple food is plain boiled rice, piled up in a heap on a large platter.” — Shway Yoe [1]
Kneeling Buddha, Burma/Myanmar,
19th century
Burma, or Myanmar, lies in a critical space between China and India. This ancient land, home of many nationalities, seems destined to play a pivotal role in trade and investment between her two big neighbors,.
Burmese author, Thant Myint-U, grandson of diplomat U Thant, predicts that with current governmental changes now occurring, the country can emerge as the new crossroads of Asia. [2]
Burmese cuisine is rich and varied, shows influences from Continue reading
Full of Flavor – and Salt
Many Local Variants
“The Vietnamese favor Nuoc Mam, a strong fish ketchup rich in amino acids, salts and phosphorus which compensates for the low nutriti9onal value of the rice.” — Miriam Ferrari [1]
Tiparos Fish Sauce,
Nam Pla
Fish ketchup, Signora? Rich in amino acids? Maybe, but certainly rich in salt. And how about the low nutritional value of the rice? Some of these things may have been lost in translation and only the editors at Mondadori will ever know the whole story..
In Southeast Asia, the chief salter is a sauce made from fermented fish, commonly known as Patis in the Continue reading
A Tropical Secret
Not Just for Candy Bars
“Coconuts are probably the most valuable fruit of the tropics.” — Kathie Webber [1]
The Coconut is a staple food throughout the tropical regions of the world. If you cook Southeast Asian dishes, you no doubt already use Coconut and Coconut Milk in making a number of dishes. [2,3]
Coconut Palm
Coconut Milk is used in making curries, as well as sauces, soups, and as ingredients in a number of dishes in several Pacific Rim countries.
In recent years, some concerns have surfaced about possible health risks connected with Coconut, especially with the nature of the oil it contains. On the other hand, there are reports that there may be a number of health benefits involved, ranging from cancer prevention to treatment of dementia. Continue reading