When you’re looking for a Thai restaurant, you want one that will serve up dishes packed with authentic Thai flavors. The recognizable spice, the rich flavors of the sauces, and the comforting texture of rice, there are a variety of ingredients that go into making this savory food. But what are the essentials of Thai dishes?
Thai Fish Sauce
When making Thai food at home, use this ingredient with caution, or better yet, come to Twist on Thai for an authentic meal. The sauce is a brine made from fermenting fish with salt and is often mixed with serrano chiles for a delicious spice.
Curry Paste
One of the more popular Thai dishes at our restaurant, curries are a great choice when you’re in need of some comfort food. While the green variety is made with green chiles and the red is made from red chiles, they both have hints of lemongrass and coriander root.
Coconut Milk
This sweet liquid is used to make curries. Fresh coconut milk is made when you rinse the oils from the flesh of the coconut. But if you’re cooking at home, the canned variety is just fine.
Rice
Rice is often the base of the dish and is a staple across Thailand. There are several types of rice that can be used in the entree meal and even the dessert. Read our blog here to learn more about the varieties of rice used in many Thai restaurants.
Chiles
To give many Thai meals that delicious spice, chefs use a variety of chiles, both fresh and dried. Cayenne chile is often used in curries, to give stir-fries their kick, hot Thai “bird” chiles are used. If you can’t find these chiles, use a jalapeno or serrano.
Black Pepper
Before chiles were used, black pepper was how cooks gave Thai food its heat. Today, you’d be hard pressed to find a home or Thai restaurant without a large supply of pepper.
Lime
You can’t have a delicious Thai meal without a perfectly cooked protein. Lime is used to flavor grilled meats, salads, and even fried rice. Lime is also used to brighten up the flavor of curries and soups.
Garlic and Shallots
Garlic is another ingredient that you can easily find in many home kitchens and restaurants. It’s used to add flavor to a variety of meals and even salsas. Shallots are often used to give dishes a crunch. Together, garlic and shallots are great for flavoring oil.
Fresh Herbs
Definitely an important ingredient at any Thai restaurant, you’ll find a variety of fresh herbs on your plate, including cilantro, mint, basil, and coriander. You’ll find these herbs in curries, salads, and fried rice.
If you’re looking for authentic and delicious Thai food, come to our restaurant Twist on Thai Cafe. Here, you’ll find a variety of dishes that will surely satisfy the biggest craving. View our Thai restaurant menu here and pick out the one you want to try next. Feel like having a drink with your meal? We’re a BYOB restaurant!
Get the best Thai flavors in Hopatcong at Twist on Thai.
