Archive for February, 2008
“Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit”, better known to us as Bangkok, is the gateway to SE Asia.
Though the long name may seem strange, don´t forget that “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula” nowadays is known as LA (Los Angeles).
Anyway, I always spend a few nights in Bangkok before heading on to Vientiane.
The outstanding skyline is panoramic, and like most cities is huge. But the real character of the city is on the pavements.
Yes, Bangkok has loads of traffic, but thanks to the above ground rail system, the city is more accessible.
A mile or so in a taxi can take you up to an hour or more, depending on the time. (Though it seems “bumper to bumper” most of the time).
For “shopaholics”, Bangkok is THE CITY. You can buy anything you want here!
I normally “upgrade” my Digicam when I am in Bangkok. Not only because it can be cheaper (barter damn you, barter and win!) :) , but also because Thai salespersons will include extra bits n´pieces like tripods, 4GB memory cards etc…
It really does pay to shop around. ;)
Apart from shopping, Bangkok is great for food. Every cuisine seems to be represented, and to suit every budget too. If you want a “road-side grilled Ping Gai” or “30g Beluga Caviar”, Bangkok has it all.
Jacky is one of my heroes, and he is cooking here! Yipppeeeeeeeeeeee!
Snake in the Eagle´s Shadow Soup maybe…… 
One thing that I adore to eat is Seafood. And the Thai Restaurants know how to serve it!
A Whole Crab, delicately cooked in spices and Egg, sounds weird, but has to be tried to be appreciated. Be prepared to get your fingers dirty!! :)
The Night Bazaar (Suan Lum) is a great place to visit, not only are there arts and crafts, there is also a beer and food section (somewhere to wait while Rose does her “Marathon Shopping”). ;)
Watching afternoon football matches in the evening in Bangkok is great, especially as the Thais love English Football.
But where and what to eat? There is so much on offer…
Really, Bangkok and the rest of SE Asia is a place to get fat…eat till you drop, then shop, a little sightseeing, eat, drink, eat, drink, eat, then drop.
A break between eating and shopping. Yes, more beer please!….. 
Hopefully I will be in Bangkok and Laos during November 2008 with some of the A-Team. If you are heading our way, let us know…. :)
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After a year away from the Laocook Kitchens, King has decided to return to Spain and rejoin the A-Team.
Our mission in 2008 is to push further our works from 2007. Asiatic Cuisine in Spain has taken large steps forward over the past 18 months, ingredients that are vital to our foods are now becoming more available.
More and more Spanish cooks are now using herbs and spices that we know so well. New restaurants are opening, under the banner of “Cocina Asiatica” (Asian Kitchen), as opposed to “Cocina Oriental” (Oriental Kitchen).
Our goal has always been to offer Quality, not Quantity, and this goal will never change.
There are interesting times ahead, and we all look forward to them. :)
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Ping Gai and Truffle Potatoes.
Chicken “Oysters” are marinated with the usual suspects (Lemongrass, Lime Leaf, Garlic etc…), and served on top of a velvet Potato and Truffle Oil Puree. This is a very rich and heavy dish, thats why it is served one “Oyster” per person. ;)
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King Prawns with Mushrooms.
Dried Chinese Mushrooms are rehydrated, then slow cooked in pork fat. The King Prawns are briefly poached in an Oyster Sauce based stock, which is then thickened. A Homemade Prawn Cracker gives this small dish its “crunch”.
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Chicken in Red Curry.
Red Curry is available at most SE Asian restaurants, and ours is no exception. We prefer a thicker curry, that is why we reduce it down to almost a “gravy-like” consistency. This is seasoned at the final minute, otherwise the reduction would make it too salty.