I’ve had a craving. I’ve wanted something sweet, sour and spicy.
To satisfy that craving, last night we went to a local Thai restaurant. It’s nearly mind-boggling that our little town has a Thai restaurant, but it does and it’s over in a building that’s mostly held together with bailing wire and duct tape. The restaurant isn’t the only business in the building but since I was a kid the building has waxed and waned in it’s ability to not fall over. I think the building once had something to do with the railroad as the tracks run directly behind it. Who knows…this entry is supposed to be about the meal.
The front entryway of the restaurant consists of large planters filled with pepper and tomato plants and I assume other ingredients that will eventually end up on a plate. By mid-summer the whole front of the restaurant will be awash in green.
We started with Yum Nuea which is Thai Beef Salad. Neither of had eaten it before but we have decided we will be making this salad soon. If I could wrangle the ingredients right now, I’d do it. But, alas, I’m at work and we don’t have a grill on premises. If I could figure out how to grill at work, I’d be one happy camper. But, then, I’d never get any actual work done.
Anyway, the salad. We ordered it medium and I was actually shocked by the heat. My eyes saw cool, refreshing salad and my tongue got totally confused. But, the confusion was good and so were the mouthfuls of salad. A perfect blend of sweet, sour and spicy. Just what I was looking for to sate my craving.
The better-half enjoyed the pork drunken noodles and I splurged on the soft-shelled crabs with ginger sauce. The crabs were lightly coated and stir-fried. Eating soft-shelled crabs always makes me happy. Last night’s crabs were fairly large and very delicious. The second crab’s shell had started the hardening process, but crunching through the shell is half the fun.
Now, if I can just get through my day today without some Yum Nuea, I’ll consider the day a success. Some people daydream about a day on the beach, today I’ll daydream about beef salad.
I think it’s fun to re-create dishes from restaurants. I wish I felt like cooking again, but lately it’s lost all its appeal. I’d love to figure out the scallops recipe at my favorite restaurant, but for now, I’ll just go there for the yumminess.