Taking a cooking class is something everyone should do at some point. It is always exciting to try something new. I was brought up in the lesson that to cook is a necessary life skill. Because I’m sure most of us feel the same way about it. Plus the added benefits to it. Cooking can help relax you after a long day at the 9-5. Picking ingredients at the local market is a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon and will get you outside. Make it a day event with friends and family.
A cooking class is a good way to combine all these things to assist you in that process. And doing this in an entirely new country is an exciting way to spend part of your travels. I decided to take an authentic Thai cooking class while I was traveling through in Chiang Mai. It was well worth the extra Baht spent, and only came out to $30 USD. It is a pretty reasonable price for a main dish, side dish, and desert. This was an extra activity on my group tour through Thailand. If you are touring solo, your significant other, or a group of fellow travelers I suggest you sign up if given the opportunity.
Finding the local ingredients
I started off at the Chiang Mai marketplace. I was thinking of something similiar to the ones I find in major cities. You’ll find out like me how different this place can be to your usual marketplace hangouts. Everything is more packed together. There is little open space between stalls and the fresh ingredients and humidity of Thailand makes the smells even stronger. You’ll get a quick lesson on each of the ingredients and what to look out for if you go market shopping on your own. This is an enjoyable leisurely walk to where you will actually be doing the cooking.
Time to fire up the stove
You will be taken in an open outdoor kitchen area with individual cooking stations for 20-30 people. You’ll have plenty of room for prepping the food and the cool weather really helps compliments the fire of the cooking station. The menu will consist of learning to cook yummy Pad Thai, spicy green curry, and top off with some delicious mango sticky rice.
Experienced instructors will help you the entire time and take everything one step at a time with you. Don’t worry if you consider yourself a terrible or average cook. Cooking Thai food is an art that can be hard to master perfectly. I was very particular about what I was doing and consistently asking questions and for the instructor to check my work.
What I learned and you will too
Thai recipes can sometimes be complicated with the amounts of spices and herbs we have to add. Aside from that hurdle they are relatively simple to make and don’t require a lot of time. The main pad Thai dish only took about 20 min to make and it came out great. I savored every bite of it. My next dish to make was green curry. I’ve never been a fan of curry. It has never agreed with my stomach and I will usually pass on it. I made the green curry and let someone have it as an extra bowl. My travel buddy said it was pretty good for a beginner. I took that as a good sign of my slowly growing culinary expertise. You might be more used to making food for yourself. I know I am. Party of one right over here!
We finished off with mango sticky rice for dessert. A sweet and sticky dish. This is by far the easiest to make. Don’t feel concerned getting all that stickiness on your hands. You can even eat the desert with your hands if you prefer it that way. The coconut milk and mango gives it that extra flavor that will leave you wanting more.
Thai Thursdays Anyone?
You will be given a complimentary Thai Cooking Course cookbook. It will have all the delicious recipes to make you an expert in Thai cuisine. Use it to host a weekly Thai food night with friends and family. I find it is always best to adjust the recipes to your own personal preferences. This is a must have for any person looking to increase their knowledge in the culinary arts.