Ba Su’s Kitchen The air is thick with spice and chatter. Mosquitoes and tabletop fans murmur in my ear as neighbors swing by for a beer and a bowl of fresh curry. Welcome to Ba Su’s Kitchen, a gathering spot for my neighbors and a place where I’ve spent a lot of my past two years learning Thai and eating my fill.
Within my first few weeks in Thailand, this family took me in and looked after me. Mae Su, or Mamma Su, runs a small convenience store out of her kitchen. Each morning, she wakes up before the sunrise to cook up three or four types of dishes for neighbors to eat at her place or to bag up for work. One of my favorites was her tom kha gai, or chicken coconunt soup—a spicy, sour, gingery delight.
Step 1 Prepare your ingredients. Chop the ginger and lemongrass, tear the lime leaves, and preboil your chicken feet.
Step 2 Bring your coconut milk to a boil. Watch it well, and don’t let it burn!
Step 3 Add chicken ingredients. Ba Su likes to put chopped liver as well, if that’s your style. Simmer until cooked. Prepare mushrooms and chop tomatoes.
Step 4 Add the ginger, lime leaves, lemongrass. If you are using a paste, exclude the above and add paste. Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Begin pounding your chilis.
Step 5 Once veggies are tender, add fish sauce, lime juice, MSG, and crushed chilis to taste.
Step 6 Serve, and enjoy with a neighbor!
KYLE'S CONTACT INFO: Phone: +66-090-979-8187 Email: kyle.apuna@gmail.com Blog: rootandflourish.wordpress.com Mailing Address: Thai Peace Foundation 3750/9 Ladprao Soi 146/1 Khlongchan, Bangkapi, Bangkok Thailand 10240