The flavors here in Thailand are a symphony compared to a song. It is not unusual to take a bite and have so many taste sensations going on at once that it can be staggering: sweet, sour, spicy, deep umami and texture.
On my first trip to Chaing Mai everything was a delight (ok, the beans on the ice cream I could have done without), but this trip I am learning more of the nuances and quality of Thai food. There are cooks and chefs, and it’s apparent that it’s not the ingredients that separates the two, it’s the finesse, the grace and the balance.
What I can tell you is that the comparable ingredients that are available to me in NYC are not exactly the same as here. The limes I find sweeter here, and the tamarind more sour than tart- but don’t let that dissuade you. Preparing Thai food is not difficult and the results are fantastic.
I love making this dish with the wasabi peas. The texture is fantastic and the bite of wasabi is not terrifically sharp when balanced with the chicken. My advice is the slice your chicken into thin pieces, or pound out thinly- otherwise the peas can burn before the chicken cooks through. An alternative is you can bake large pieces of chicken, such as breasts on the bone, and that would be fine.
The Thai dressing on the slaw will make you new friends. It’s so simple and so delicious that I invite you to make a batch and pour it over everything you can get your hands on. A great alternative on tomatoes and cucumbers out of the summer garden for instance.
I’ve never been a huge fan of mayonnaise rich cole slaw, nor of it’s picnic cousins potato and macaroni salad- but raw cabbage is delicious and tremendously healthy. I love this dressing on shredded cabbage. The red cabbage when mixed with the acid of the lemon juice draws out the color to a bright pretty pink. Both pretty and yummy- make more than you think- it goes fast.
THE Tough Cookie says
July 9, 2012 at 11:22 amSawaadii Khaa to you, Gail! You’re having a much better time in Thailand than I did! Can’t wait to hear about your trip when you get home. These dishes are going into my recipe files!!!!
Gail Watson says
July 10, 2012 at 11:13 amCan’t wait to share an evening and turn you deeply onto Thai food and the country. You two should come with next time!
glutwin says
September 26, 2012 at 11:37 pmWow…this looks scrumptious…love Thai cuisine passionately!..Question…If I used large chicken breasts/bone-in…and used the oven…how long and at what temperature? Would I also need to reduce the amount of wasabi coating…or would it require virtually the same amount?..Thank you in advance for any enlighenment..and for sharing such a creative recipe!
Gail Watson says
September 27, 2012 at 2:00 pm@Glutwin- So glad you like the recipe- Thanks! You would cook the chicken the same as you would any breast, though I would cover them for the first half so the peas don’t burn. I don’t really cook by time so much as by feel because of size differences. So cover for about 15 mins, then check on the chicken as you go. For the coating you might need a little less, but I would stick to the recipe to be sure to have enough. It really also depends on the size of your breasts. You can eyeball that. Happy Cooking! Gail