LOTR: Laocooks On The Road
Away from the hot kitchens, some of us have been enjoying ourselves. ;)
Kuchi and Khamhoung met up in Laos for a few days during their recent holidays.
Kuchi crossed over from Nongkai and spent a few nights in Vientiane before visiting the former Capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang.
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Snakebite is a name that is normally associated with a cocktail drink (50% Lager Beer and 50% Cider). But the photos below bring a whole new meaning to the word.
If Snake is not your tipple, how about Giant Centipede?
:)
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Meanwhile, back in Spain and the Kitchens, work continues.
Nuts About You, was the name given to one of our new Amuse Bouche. Cashew Nuts are dry roasted before being fried with Garlic, Shallots, Chillies and Herbs. They make a great accompaniment to a cold beer or a Snakebite ( 
).
Sushi Dragon Rolls make a welcome appearance. The velvety softness of the Avocado followed by the crunchiness of the King Prawns that have firstly been deep fried in Panko Crumbs.
This dish also includes Amadraba Tuna Sashimi, which has a “melt-in-the-mouth” texture.
Finally, a preview of one of our new dishes which evolved from our New Style “Goong Che Nam Pla”.
This small dish is being tested for our 7 Course Gala New Year Menu, and will no doubt go through some changes before being served at the last dinner of 2007.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
You have gone back to Laos for a while ??? I haven’t visit Laos for 2 years. The pictures of Luang Prabang reminds me of the days indeed.
Btw is such alchole with snakes popular in Laos ? I have never seen it there. But I can see kind of such snake alchole in the south part of Japan. It is too strong and never I have tried it yet :)
ps : I moved some of articles to the new blog because the foremery one doesn’t seem to have enough volume.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:27 am
What’s up with the snakes? I know they’re very photogenic, but is this really traditional? Or is this something they’re producing for the tourist market? It does save biologists the trouble of going into the bush for snake species…(and not to mention centipedes the size of Maine lobsters).
October 9th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Saibaidee Vienne,
Great blog! Your presentations of Laotian dishes are very creative and beautiful. I know your were busy the last time we contacted you to submit a recipe to be featured in an issue of Lao Roots Magazine. Just wondering if you are interested in sending us one for our next issue. Please let know. Look forward to hearing from you.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Hi Madam Yang and Elgin. I have never seen this Snake Drink in a Lao home, so I can imagine it is for the tourist, though I could be wrong. I think that they look better than they taste, but seeing as I havent tasted it…who knows…?
Douan, I will contact you soon.
:)