A must in the land of smiles, pad Thai is also the most famous specialty internationally. Having become a national dish due to the restriction around rice at the end of the Second World War, pad Thai is today a traditional dish eaten throughout Thailand. Literally "Thai-style frying", Pad Thai is made of rice noodles stir-fried with various ingredients. Recipes vary significantly depending on the region, and the dish served in Thai restaurants in the West is generally richer (chicken, peppers, red beans, etc.). The traditional recipe calls for wok rice noodles over high heat with eggs, bean sprouts, tofu, yellow beans and grilled shrimp. Served with "nam pla" fish sauce and sweet lime sauce, it is also often accompanied by peanuts and a fresh banana flower. The key to this recipe is its flavors and raw cooking method, but you can spice it up with whatever's in your kitchen.
Tom yam (or tom yum) is a great classic of Thai cuisine, very popular throughout Southeast Asia and around the world. Originally from Laos, it is a very fragrant and spicy soup composed of broth, coconut milk, lime, ginger, galangal and peppers. You can find this soup cooked plain, but most of the time, it is served as a dish with garnish:tom yam gai with chicken, tom yam kung with prawns, and tom yam plaa with fish, or tom yam kai with vegetables.
Unconditionally one of the best Thai dishes but also one of the strongest, green curry is an essential Thai culinary specialty. Very simple and quick to prepare, it is made with chicken, coconut milk, garlic, lime juice, green curry paste, but also various herbs and vegetables according to recipes, regions and tastes . Contrary to popular belief, green curry is stronger than red curry:dose it sparingly, and taste your preparation regularly so as not to have any surprises. Instead of the chicken, you can cook the green curry with the meat of your choice, but don't make the mistake of browning the meat separately before adding it to the soup later. The key to green curry is tender meat cooked directly in coconut milk.
