Thailand is a fascinating country, both for its breathtaking scenery and its delectable cuisine. Thai food is exotic and well-known for its use of sauces and spices, as well as its fiery flavors.
Getting to know Thai culture involves a study of the country’s cuisine. It is true that food is culturally significant to the people, and eating is often a ritualistic event. Its unique dishes provide them with the ideal excuse to spend time with their beloved ones.
A mix of flavors and cultures
Sweet, salty, savory, spicy, and creamy are just a few of the many flavors that can describe Thai gastronomy. When we talk about Thai cuisine, we always imagine ourselves walking around Bangkok’s streets and smelling the typical fragrances and flavors of Southeastern Asia. Gastronomy in this country is abundant, eye-catching, and historically rich.
Indians and the Chinese were longtime influences in Thai culture, and they bring some traditional preparations with rice and curries. As in the rest of Asia, rice is the common thread and main ingredient. Its flavors and recipes are never the same, we can find rice in main dishes, cooked in sweets, and even made liquors.
Besides, it is no surprise that rice is the base of their diet, since that country is one of the world’s largest rice exporters, a consequence of being rice its most important crop. They’ve done a fantastic job with this grain, and it’s no surprise they cook and process it in a variety of ways:
- The main dish.
- A side dish.
- An appetizer.
- A dessert.
- Or bread.
- Even a typical Thai wine.
Jasmine rice in Thai cuisine
We cannot talk about Thai food and rice without immediately thinking of Jasmine rice, it is so famous that there is a different Jasmine rice recipe almost in every home. The reason it is called “Jasmine rice” is that it is so white that it recalls the flower of Jasmine. This type of rice is found in Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as in other Southeast Asian countries.
Because this rice is used to accompany other dishes that already have their own flavor, it is normally prepared only with water and no salt in Thailand.
In fact, we have chosen a couple of delicious, easy, and quick Jasmine rice recipes for you to try at home and share with your friends and family.
Thai Jasmine Rice with spices
You can enjoy this aromatic, full of flavor rice dish.
Here is what you’ll need:
- 17 oz (500 g) of Thai Jasmine rice.
- 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
- 1 teaspoon of salt.
- 1 medium onion.
- 5 whole cloves.
- 2 cinnamon sticks.
- 4 black peppercorns.
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable margarine.
- 1 teaspoon of ginger.
- 24 fl oz (700 ml) of water.
Preparation:
- Wash the rice well under running cold water. Chop the onion.
- In a saucepan, melt the margarine and sauté the onion until brownish. Then you should add ginger, garlic, and salt. Mix everything well.
- Add the rice, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and pepper and sauté a little.
- Add the water and let boil over medium heat. Then set it to low.
- Rice must be cooked until it is tender and absorbs all the cooking liquid.
- Serve the rice in a preheated bowl, accompanying any dish.
Thai Jasmine Rice with vegetables
Thai rice with veggies is one of the unique and faraway dishes that is quite popular with people of all ages nowadays. All you need is:
- 5.3 oz (150 gr) of raw jasmine rice.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- 1 pinch of salt.
- 1 tablespoon of curry powder.
- 1 tablespoon of ground ginger.
- 1 medium white onion.
- 1 zucchini.
- 1 carrot.
- 1 small green bell pepper.
- Bean sprouts (a small package).
- Canned bamboo stems.
- Small cob in can.
- Coconut milk.
- Fresh coriander.
Preparation:
- Wash rice under abundant tap water and boil it until soft.
- Chop the onion in dices and sauté until brownish.
- Add the previously boiled soybean sprouts, bamboo stalks and drained cobs and green pepper and carrot cut into strips.
- Add the tablespoon of curry powder, the ground ginger, and a pinch of salt.
- Add several tablespoons of coconut milk. Lower the fire and stir well so it doesn’t burn.