Chiang Mai- Thai Cooking Class
Our last day in Chiang Mai, Thailand we braved the heat and booked a cooking class at Siam Rice Thai Cookery. This was by far my most favorite cooking class I have done so far. We were picked up in a pickup truck turned taxi and whisked off to the market to learn about the vegetables and herbs used in thai cooking.
Our instructor Yam showed us around the market pointing out unique produce that we have never heard of before. After filling a few bags with our needed ingredients we headed to the cooking school.
When we arrived at the school, Yam pointed out a green mango tree and asked if we wanted to try a special dish. I never say no to trying something new. She instructed Tim to “pick” a few green mangos and she would make a spicy sweet sauce for us to dip the mango in. it was a mixs of spices and simple syrup. So good!
The class had only four guests. This was great because we all were able to pick the dishes we wanted. Each type of dish; soup, rice, curry, and noodle, all had the same basic steps just different ingredients. The four of us decided to each pick something different so we could learn all the recipes and share a few tastes.
The best part of a cooking class is you get to eat a fabulous meal with little prep or and no clean up! Check out cooking skills here.
I made hot and creamy soup, pad thai, curry (Northern Style Tomato Sauce), chicken cashew, and bananas in coconut cream. We were also given a cookbook with every recipe the class made (20 different recipes). I have even made the northern style curry dish at home (bottom right) and it turned out delicious.
Cooking classes are always a great way to be exposed to the local culture. You get one on one time with a local that you wouldn’t normally find by visiting the big tourist spots. Yam shared stories about her life in Chiang Mai and we had lots of laughs. You do not want to miss out on an experience like this.
