The Stranger's version of Thai Spicy Chicken with Basil

Post Update:

Thank you reader L for trying out my recipe and 'liking' it! Hopefully I will have more such updates on all my recipe posts!

"Thanks! I never would have attempted this meal if not for your recipe." - L

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Since my last post on self-cooked food more than a year ago, I have not stopped cooking. I just haven't had the time or energy to take pictures of the cooking process and put it in a post to share with everyone until now (and this is due to requests from a few friends).

In the past, I never wanted to cook Thai food in my own kitchen. Why? The reason is simple. Thai food, though not necessarily the most difficult to cook, usually involves a lot of different ingredients (to generate the many dimensions of flavours in every bite), and just the thought of preparing the ingredients to cook for a couple of people will motivate me sufficiently to take a short walk to any shop by the road outside to have infinitely more authentic Thai food instead.

However, after all these years, I realized the need to create my own versions of Thai food too, to capitalize on the ease of obtaining key local ingredients and to 'know' what I am actually eating, or at the very least, know that I am NOT eating mounds of MSG/chicken powder. So here's my healthier version of Thai Spicy Chicken with Basil.

The vegetarian ingredients

Before I start, I would like to clarify a that if you are thinking this is the dark spicy tasty basil chicken (aka kraprow gai) you find by the streets of Thailand, it is not. It's a version that I eat frequently in my office cooked by my colleague which tastes different but just as good.

Ingredients (serves 2-4):

1. Boneless chicken thigh 2pcs, diced into large cubes
2. Lots of garlic and chilli, pounded or ground into a paste (I recommend at least 5-6 chillis and as much garlic as you want)
3. Half a carrot, shredded finely (optional)
4. Thai round eggplant 5 pcs (as shown in the picture above), quartered
5. A big bunch of Thai basil

Seasonings:

1. Juice of 1 lemon, preferably the round green Thai version, not the yellow one
2. Thai fish sauce
3. Dash of pepper
4. Pinch of sugar

Cooking Procedure:

1. With a bit of hot oil in the pan, fry the garlic and chilli paste until fragrant, or until you choke and cough
2. Throw the shredded carrot and eggplant into the mix, they need more cooking than the chicken (not nice if the eggplant isn't soft)
3. When the vegetables look half cooked, time to add in the chicken, then season with fish sauce
4. Add some water (more if you like more gravy, like I do) and let it bubble away until everything is cooked
5. Add pepper, sugar, lemon juice, and if required more fish sauce to taste
6. Finally add in the big bunch of basil and stir around till it wilts, tadaaa, ready to serve!

Sorry if my instructions look ambiguous. I don't usually cook according to recipes, so my recipes will not be too detailed. In a nutshell, the dish should taste pretty salty, spicy enough to put you on the verge of tears, and a twinge of acidity will cut through all the heat.

My version of Thai spicy chicken with basil

Before I sign off, I just want to say that this dish is very versatile. You could use any meat or even shrimp, tweak how spicy you want it to be, or even change the vegetables (not all are suitable, but things like long beans/baby corn/bamboo shoot should work just fine). 

There are just a couple of details that you HAVE to follow to retain the soul of the dish:

• You absolutely HAVE to make the effort to either pound the garlic and chilli in a pestle and mortar, or grind them into a paste in the blender. No two ways about it. Forget about cooking this dish if you plan to use sliced garlic/chilli.
• To make these stir-fried dishes taste distinctly Thai, the salt agent will have to be fish sauce, and Thai basil HAS to be incorporated. Remember, Thai basil (refer to the picture), not the basil you use in your pasta sauces.
• Thai dishes boast dimensions. The squeeze of lemon will make a lot of difference.

That's all from me, till we meet again during the next episode of "Cooking with Uncle Eddie".

Stranger in Bangkok's take on the haze situation in Singapore

For last few days, my Facebook newsfeed and various LINE chat groups have been dominated by 1 topic: the haze situation in Singapore. It even managed to hog the headlines on Bangkok Post. Looking at the PSI high of 400 and the dramatic exchanges between Indonesia and Singapore, no wonder it is THE biggest news now.

The mad scramble for N95 masks, as well as the calls for the government to do more reminded me very much about the catastrophic floods in Thailand almost exactly 2 years ago. Although I was technically untouched by the floodwaters during that ordeal, I think the mental stress I had experienced bear a lot of similarities to what the folks in Singapore are going through now.

Firstly, both 'disasters' are somewhat caused by nature. Yes, I know, Indonesia should really stop burning forests every year and the Thai government can do more to regulate the water levels in dams upcountry to avoid floods, but the wind directions are not in Singapore's favour, neither was the amount of rain in Thailand two years ago. These were major factors that no one could really control.

The people in Thailand waited and waited for the government to react properly, but after countless promises, alarm signals were not even given on time. Frequently, districts were flooded before flood warnings were received. People ended up fending for themselves. It was pretty frantic, but unity and love would finally prevail and the country emerged from it arguably stronger than before.

In terms of efficiency, there is no comparison between the governments in Thailand and Singapore. It is natural to expect a better response from the Singapore government to help its people in need because of its track record and the smaller country size and population, but no matter what the authorities do, they cannot please everyone. Even if they can please most, you might not fall into that category. The point I am trying to make is, you have to help yourself first.

By helping yourself, I don't mean hoarding. During the flood saga, I could not even conveniently find drinking water, rice, canned food and instant noodles in supermarkets because of a small proportion of frantic people who swept everything off the shelves. Fortunately, because of my connections, I was lucky to obtain enough drinking water to last my family for weeks, then started distributing the same amount of water to all my staff to prepare them for the worst. I learnt not to rely on numbers or statistics given by authorities, but to prepare ourselves sufficiently, then start helping the others you love around you.

From these 2 cases, we have been abruptly reminded of the forces of nature and the hard fact that no one can truly escape from them, regardless of where we are geographically located.

Please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones, wear masks when required and drink plenty of water. May all of us eventually emerge stronger, or at the very least, more prepared in every way for the inevitable challenges that lie ahead.

Hidden Dining Jewels in sub-urban Eastern Bangkok

The Stranger in Bangkok is ready to open another mini-series on my blog.

Ok ok, I know, the last one I opened (Running a business in Thailand) is still stuck at 1 post, but believe me, I have plans to write many more posts on that topic, soon!

As many of you know, I have been in Bangkok for nearly 4 years. Since I came, I have been living in the sub-urban residential areas on the Eastern side of Bangkok. Over the years, I have experienced so much growth and development in this area that I feel it is now ready to be blogged about, starting with dining establishments.

My analysis of the BTS Sukhumvit Line

If you have been to Bangkok, I am sure you would have spent most of your time in the blue area of the BTS Line, where I consider to be the tourist haunt. This is where Phad Thai is commonly found in restaurants, and cafes still bother to dig cavities in whole pineapples to present what is called the pineapple rice, which is really just fried rice.

If you venture a little further East into the red zone, you will find a really nice and hip area where young working local adults and expats like to hang out. Chic dining and clubbing options are starting to saturate this area, especially along Ekkamai and Thong Lor.

I am going to focus my series on excellent dining establishments hidden in the green zone, where I consider the Eastern Oasis of Bangkok, that is located beyond On-Nut (these stations belong the recently-open Sukhumvit Line extension).

From excellent street food to cool bistros and authentic Italian restaurants, I virtually do not have to step out of my vicinity to enjoy everything.

Stay tuned if you would like to know more!

[Daddy Matters Father's Day Special] Dear Dad

To celebrate the upcoming Father's Day (which falls on the 3rd Sunday of June everywhere EXCEPT FOR of Thailand), I have been challenged by the Daddy Matters Group to come up with a post imagining what Noah would want to tell me if he wrote me a letter. I am one of the youngest Daddies in the group and my son is still blabbering in baby tongue, but I shall take up the challenge anyway.

Dear Daddy

I have been longing for you to understand what I say. My friends in my Babies Genius class like Boss, Plankton, Iphone, Ecclair, Proud, Green and Pause can all communicate with me, why is it so difficult for you to understand me when I try to converse with you everyday? 

See, their names are all so cool, at least they mean something, what does Noah even mean? It sounds like "No ah?" in Singlish. Hello, we are not in Singapore now. I know he is a bright old man in the Bible and built the Ark to save all the cute animals, but I am a baby, not an old man. 

Ok, enough of the complaints, I am not Singaporean anyway, complaining is not in my list of favourite activities. Instead, my favourite activities are hugging Daddy and Mummy, kissing Daddy and Mummy, playing with Daddy and Mummy, singing with Daddy and Mummy and sleeping with Daddy and Mummy!

Favourite time of the day: Yii family laughing minute

I really cannot imagine my life without you peeps. I can't even bear to see Mummy disappear from my sight. During the day, when you are outside doing whatever you are doing (and can't you stay home more often), I just can't control my emotions when she disappears into the toilet or out of the room. I know I make her very frustrated when I scream and cry, but I just can't help it! Help me apologise to Mummy when you can, will you? Please?

Daddy, I love kissing you, especially those long ones on your lips, and those you peck on my cheek during the bedtime stories. However, sometimes I wonder just how many times you want me to kiss you per day. You ask me to kiss you every other minute, and give me a glum face when I am too busy doing something else. I will kiss you as many times as I can ok? You must give me some time to do my stuff. I need to play play play play play.

Play with seesaw also need to kiss you first is it?

With regards to eating, I understand Daddy and Mummy cook healthy food with premium ingredients for me everyday, but they don't taste like anything. I am a big boy now, I want to feed myself like you do. I haven't checked out the bowls and spoons completely yet, so sometimes I make a mess. Just give me some time to explore, I promise I will master self-feeding soon! And please, all those yummy delicious things you are eating everyday, spare some for me leh....

Lastly, Daddy, I think you are must be the happiest Daddy in the world. Why? Because you must be the only Daddy in the world who can celebrate 2 Father's Days every year, one in June and another in December (in conjunction with the King's Birthday in Thailand). Compare that with the others, it's double the fun, double the appreciation, double the joy.

2 Sundays later will be your 3rd Father's Day! I would like to wish you a happy one. You are doing a pretty decent job for a Daddy with no prior experience. Keep it up! I love you very much.

Hugs and kisses

No Ah Yii

The Dilemma of Noah

Noah Potter and his mother

Noah has graduated!

No, not from University of course, but whether or not he actually goes through University here, I have at least seen how he would look like in Thailand's pretty graduation gown, thanks to his playgroup's clever gesture of sending off every kid to a more advanced class with an 'elaborate' graduation ritual.

This was certainly a moment worth celebrating (at least it was made to feel so), but after looking at Noah's picture pasted on the wall of the school, he didn't look happy about it at all.

What a glum face

After taking a step back to look at the full picture, I finally understood why.

He can't choose between his triplet of girlfriends, who are following him into the next class!

Sigh, poor Noah, he has his own cute little dilemmas.

Seems like looking too handsome is not such a good thing after all!

The Dilemma of Fatherhood

Dear Noah

You are 15 months old now.

Time flies. I still remember watching you gaze into my eyes for the first time in your life in the hospital's nursery after your first ever bath.

But no, maybe I don't remember anymore. Sometimes, when I look at your chubby face chuckling at me baring all your 8 front teeth in full glory, I can no longer picture how you looked 15 months ago, 12 months ago, or even 6 months ago. Oh, those precious memories, hidden deep in my heart, why do I struggle to find them when I want to?

Did you look like that? I almost cannot remember already.

These couple of months, the babies we know around your age all began walking. You simply watch them  without showing much interest. Teachers/Neighbours alike started to apply peer pressure to push you to start walking. We did not buckle, and gave you your own time. Seriously, it does not matter to Daddy and Mummy. You are a clever boy. You can walk when you feel like it, and talk when you are ready. You can stay snug in Daddy's embrace for as long as you want.

Those were the days...... 

If I have a time machine, I will freeze every precious moment we have together and live in the world with just you and Mummy.

If I have a choice, I will keep you as little baby Noah, because I can no longer envision life without your shrieks of pure joy.

But that's not going to happen. You are growing at a pace faster that I can imagine. I dread the day that you will run on your own and reject my hugs. I am fearful of the future when you are no longer willing to accompany me when I finally have more time to spend with you.

Relax Noah, slow down. Take your own sweet time to grow up. Stop once in a while to smell the roses and roll in the grass. The adult world is more complicated than you think. Enjoy your childhood while you can.

You are starting to walk with support now

We will be with you every step of the way.

Love
Daddy

The Nicest Taxi Driver in Bangkok

I have always told people that for the quality of the vehicle (usually Toyota Corolla Altis) and level of service, Bangkok definitely has the most value-for-money taxi system in the world. That said, the drivers here are not perfect. Especially in the bustling city where millions of tourists hang out every year, drones of opportunistic taxi drivers roam around choosing customers who are willing to pay them inflated fares they don't deserve to earn.

I have had my fair share of frustrations with taxi drivers over the last few years, particularly when I try to get home from the city because I don't look Caucasian enough, but yesterday, on Labour Day 2013, my heart was completely melted by a customer-choosing cab driver whom I will now identify as Khun Longan.

My family and I were waiting for the taxi under the scorching sun outside Paradise Park amongst a pretty big crowd of people. As it was the 1st of the month (payday for most Thais) and a public holiday, getting a cab was impossible. Not even 1 empty cab was in sight. The old Thai lady standing in front of me then told me (in perfect Mandarin) that everyone standing or sitting around was waiting for cabs. At that instant, my heart sank a little.

Barely a minute later, a cab stopped at the taxi stand. 2 young thai teenagers rushed forward and attempted to get in. However, before their butts could touch the seat, they had to turn around to shout at me (I was a good 20metres away). With my poor understanding of the language, it sounded something like, "SOMETHING SOMETHING SOMETHING THE LADY WITH THE BABY!"

Noah, our lucky star, weaved his magic again. We could not believe our luck! The old lady in front of us smiled kindly at me as we bypassed her to get into the cab. Khun Longan then told us that in this situation, he will have to give priority to pregnant ladies and families with babies as he cannot imagine how long we might potentially have to wait there.

Now who says drivers who choose their customers are all nasty?

Not my most flattering pic, but the focus is on Khun Longan, the kindest cabby in town!

Bangkok is a city that never fails to surprise me every other day. It can give me the worst of frustrations today, then massage my heart with the warmest of comforts tomorrow. There is never a predictable moment.

If you are still wondering why I continue to call myself the Stranger in Bangkok after nearly 4 years, I hope you have already found the answer.