Thai Cuisine: A Culinary Overview

Thai Cuisine

• Rice is a staple, with jasmine rice being the most popular type, and is known for its aroma and stickiness.
• Thai curries are made with coconut milk, meat or seafood, vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
  • Red curry contains red chilies and red curry paste.
  • Green curry contains green chilies and green curry paste.
  • Yellow curry is milder and often includes turmeric and cumin.
• Curry paste always includes shrimp paste, along with chillies, onions or shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal (Thai ginger), and coriander (cilantro) root.
• Tom Yum is a spicy and sour soup with lemongrass, lime leaves, chili peppers, and fish sauce, and can be made with shrimp or chicken.
• Pad Thai is a popular dish that has gained international acclaim due to vibrant flavors and unique combinations of ingredients.

Thai Individual Dishes

• PHAT KAPHRAO is minced pork fried with chilies, garlic, soy sauce, and holy basil, served with rice and nam pla phrik.
• KHANOM CHIN consists of fresh Thai rice noodles served in green chicken curry with raw vegetables, herbs, and fish sauce on the side.
• KHANOM CHIN NAM NGIAO features Thai fermented rice noodles served with pork blood tofu and raw vegetables in a pork broth and tomato-based sauce with crushed fried dry chilies, chicken blood, dry fermented soy bean, and dried red kapok flowers
• KHANOM CHIN NAMYA is made of round boiled rice noodles topped with a fish-based sauce and eaten with fresh leaves and vegetables.
• KHAO KHA MU – steamed rice served with red cooked pork leg, steamed mustard greens, pickled cabbage, sweet-sour chili sauce, raw garlic, fresh bird's eye chilies, and boiled egg.
• KHAO KHLUK KAPI is rice stir-fried with shrimp paste, sweetened pork, and vegetables.
• KHAO MAN KAI includes rice steamed in chicken stock with garlic, boiled chicken, chicken stock, and a spicy dipping sauce, often served with radish soup.
• KHAO MU DAENG features slices of Thai-style Chinese char siu served with rice, cucumber, and thickened gravy, with broth and raw scallions, and thick, black soy sauce with sliced chilies as a condiment.
• KHAO NA PET consists of rice served with slices of red-roast duck, cucumber, and thickened gravy, with the same spicy soy sauce condiment as khao mu daeng, soup, and raw scallions.
• KHAO PHAT is one of Thailand's most common rice dishes that may contains chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, crab, coconut, pineapple, or vegetarian.
  • Khao phat American is fried rice with tomato ketchup, raisins, fried egg, hot dogs, and bacon.
  • Khao phat kai - fried rice with chicken
  • Khao phat mu - fried rice with pork
  • Khao phat pu - fried rice with crab meat
  • Khao phat kung - fried rice with shrimp
  • Khao phat naem - fried rice with fermented sausage

Middle Eastern Cuisine

• Employs a wide range of cooking techniques like grilling, roasting, frying, stewing, and braising where dishes are slow-cooked to develop flavors and textures.
• Lamb and mutton are favored meats due to religious laws, while chicken is also common.
• Grains are a fundamental component.
  • Rice is a staple often served with pilafs and biryanis.
  • Bread is served with every meal and includes flatbreads like pita, lavash, and naan.
  • Bulgur is cracked wheat used in dishes like tabbouleh and kibbeh.
• Legumes are a rich source of protein.
  • Chickpeas are used in hummus, falafel, and chickpea stews.
  • Lentils are used in soups, stews, and salads.
  • Fava beans are used in dishes like ful medames and falafel.

Fresh Produce, Herbs, and Spices

• Fresh fruits and vegetables are used in abundance and often sourced locally.
  • Tomatoes are used in salads, sauces, and stews.
  • Eggplant is used in baba ghanoush, moussaka, and grilled eggplant salads.
  • Cucumbers are used in salads and tzatziki.
• Herbs and spices add flavor and aroma.
  • Parsley is used as a garnish in dishes like tabbouleh and falafel.
  • Mint is used in savory and sweet dishes.
  • Cumin, coriander, and sumac add warmth and depth.

Staple dishes

• Hummus is a chickpea dip.
• Falafel are fried chickpea patties.
• Tabbouleh is parsley salad.
• Kebabs are grilled meat skewers.
• Shawarma is spit-roasted meat.
• Baklava is a sweet pastry made with filo dough, nuts, and syrup.
• Pita bread is a round, hollow flatbread ideal for stuffing.
• Meze is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers.

Beverages

• Arak is anise-flavored alcohol diluted with water and ice.
• Qamar al-din is a thick, sweet apricot beverage for Ramadan.
• Jallab is a fruit syrup with grape molasses, dates, and rose water
• Doogh (or ayran) is a salted, yogurt-based drink popular in Turkey and Iran.

American Cuisine

• Consists of cooking styles and traditional dishes influenced by various cultures.
• Highlights include milkshakes, barbecue, and fried foods.

American Cuisine Staple Foods

• Meat: Beef, poultry, and pork are widely consumed.
• Potatoes: Boiled, mashed, fried or baked.
• Bread: Sliced sandwich bread, dinner rolls, bagels, or biscuits.
• Rice: Influenced by Asian, Latin American, and Southern cuisines.
• Corn: Important with dishes like cornbread, corn on the cob, grits, and tortillas.
• Beans: Especially black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans.
• Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, and butter that are integral in cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, and pizza.
• Eggs: Scrambled eggs, omelets, pancakes, and for baking.
• Tomatoes: Sauces and pastes.
• Fresh Produce: Fruits and vegetables like apples, oranges, lettuce, carrots, and broccoli

Tex-Mex Cuisine

• Fusion of American and Mexican traditions from the Texas-Mexico border.
  • Ingredients include beef, chicken, pork, cheese, beans, peppers, onions, garlic, and spices.
  • Tortillas are used or tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas.
  • Enchiladas are rolled tortillas filled with meat, cheese, beans, or vegetables topped with chili sauce.
  • Chili con carne is stew made with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, chili peppers, onions, and spices.
  • Fajitas - grilled meat served on a sizzling platter with sautéed onions and bell peppers, are accompanied by tortillas, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and shredded cheese.
  • Queso - Melted cheese dip with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices that is served often with tortilla chips.

French Cuisine

• Known for sauces like Béchamel, Hollandaise, Velouté, and Espagnole.
• Emphasizes precise techniques such as sautéing, braising, roasting, and baking to achieve perfection.
• Bread and pastries include baguettes, croissants, éclairs, macarons, and tarts.
• Cheese varieties range from Brie to Roquefort.
• Wine regions include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and Rhône.
• Regional diversity is reflected through Provence, Normandy, Lyon, Alsace, and Basque.
• Dishes- Coq au Vin, Beef Bourguignon, Bouillabaisse, Ratatouille, and Crème Brûlée.
• Haute cuisine features elaborate presentations.
• Delicacies include escargots, foie gras, confit de canard, and bouillabaisse.

Regional Cuisine

• Provençal cuisine emphasizes olive oil, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, and seafood.
• Norman cuisine features dairy products like butter, cream, and cheese, as well as apples, cider, and seafood.
• Lyonnaise cuisine focuses on rich, hearty dishes such as coq au vin, quenelles, and Lyonnaise potatoes.
• Alsatian cuisine incorporates German influences, with dishes like choucroute garnie and tarte flambée.
• Basque cuisine combines French and Spanish influences, highlighting ingredients like peppers, tomatoes, seafood, and cured meats.

Italian Cuisine

• Pasta dishes include spaghetti carbonara, fettuccine alfredo, penne arrabbiata, and lasagna, with various sauces.
• Pizza originated from Naples and features a thin crust with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, basil, and olive oil.
• Antipasti appetizers may contain bruschetta, caprese salad and cured meats.
• Notable cheeses are Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, gorgonzola, and pecorino.
• Wine regions include Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto.
• Seafood dishes are common in Sicily, Sardinia, and Liguria that include spaghetti alle vongole and risotto ai frutti di mare.
• Risotto is a creamy rice dish with varieties like risotto alla Milanese and risotto ai funghi.
• Desserts include tiramisu, gelato, cannoli, and panna cotta.
• Espresso is a cornerstone of Italian coffee culture.