Today, we embarked on a culinary journey with Yui and Kwan at A lot of Thai. The day was as delightful as it was educational. Our day began with a warm welcome from Yui’s husband, Kwan, who whisked us away in a classic matador, a nostalgic touch that transported us back to simpler times. Their traditional Thai home, reminiscent of the houses in Jalgaon, provided a serene backdrop for our cooking adventure.
For the first half of the day, we cooked Pad Thai, Green Curry and Tom Yum Soup. The aroma of the food filled the air and only added to whetting our appetites. Of course, we ate everything we made 🙂 During what would normally be lunch time, we took a break from cooking and eating to visit the local market which was a vibrant hub of various Thai vegetables and exotic fruit. (Heena and I skipped the meat section due to the smell). At the market, Yui showed us her favourite place to get iced coffee and we got one for ourselves too (shared it since we were quite stuffed and had an afternoon of eating ahead of us). It was delicious and probably the best we’ve had ever.
After we got back, we cooked some more: Sticky rice with mango, cashew nut tofu, spring rolls. We had a lot of fun all day long. Thai cooking is easy, uses fresh simple ingredients and you can whip up excellent dishes in almost no time! The key is to do the prep work ahead of time and then its just a few mins of cooking… and voila!
As the day wore on, we ventured into the bustling night market. While Heena indulged in a shopping spree, I amused myself by playing a game of yes or no, deliberately contradicting her opinions to spark some laughter. Later, we went to the night market (a.k.a “bhangaar” market as Heena called it) and walked about and got bored really quickly; almost everything was cheaply made plastics. So we came back.
Our evening plans took an unexpected turn as we stumbled upon a local celebration of Loy Krathong. The vibrant atmosphere, filled with firecrackers and festive lights, was mesmerizing. Though my throat began to ache, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing to participate in the festivities.
As the evening drew to a close, we opted for a much-needed break from food. After a day of culinary indulgence, our appetites were sated. Instead, we relaxed in our hotel room, reminiscing about the day’s adventures and the joy of discovering new flavours and cultures.
This Thai culinary experience was more than just a cooking class; it was a cultural immersion that left a lasting impression. The simplicity of Thai cuisine, the warmth of the people, and the beauty of the surroundings combined to create a truly unforgettable adventure.
