Thai cuisine is one of the healthiest foods we can eat with many benefits.
We already know that many of the herbs and spices used in Thai cooking, such as turmeric, galangal, ginger, coriander, lemongrass, and fresh chillies have immune boosting and disease fighting properties. Turmeric as we know, is packed with antioxidants therefore supporting our immune system and is anti-inflammatory. Galangal and ginger are from the same rhizome family as turmeric.
All of these spices are used extensively in Chinese cooking and Ayurvedic medicine. Lemongrass is a wonderfully fragrant, aromatic, lemony herb, also used extensively in Thai cooking with many health benefits! Coriander in seed form or cilantro (fresh), also known as Chinese parsley has been used since ancient times by the Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Indians for healing too. Chillies of course help to keep your heart healthy.
Thai food is known for this wonderful blend of spices and herbs, mostly used fresh. Sadly, for us, either a lack of availability or time on our part, we often revert to the dried form of these lovely herbs and spices. However, mixed with some fresh items such as fresh lime juice, scallions, fresh ginger, garlic, chili, and a dash of fish sauce (optional of course) we can make our own paste and produce mouth-watering Thai meals.
Whilst for some of us Thai food served in restaurants may have a little too much heat, when we cook at home, we can at least control this and better enjoy the lightness and unique fragrance of Thai cuisine.
Try these easy favourite recipes of ours:
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