Thai cuisine has become familiar to the Western world through restaurants, and most people can order comfortably from a Thai menu, or quote favorite dishes.  Now, with the growing availability of Thai ingredients, these dishes can be easily re-created at home.  Thai food strikes a balance between sweet, sour, hot, bitter and salty.  Taste each dish before serving and adjust seasonings to suit.  The word Thai means "free", and Thai cooks always add their own special touches to every dish.

    Thai Glossary. Many of the ingredients necessary for Thai cookery are not easily attainable but the extra effort you make to find them will be rewarded with wonderful exotic flavours.

CHINESE DRIED MUSHROOMS

These impart a very distinct flavor to the dish and are used in Thai dishes that have a Chinese influence.

They need to be soaked before use and are available from Asian food stores.  Store in a sealed container in a cool place.

CHINESE CABBAGE

Elongated in shape, this has pale green leaves and a slight mustard flavor.  If it is unavailable, use another curly-leaf cabbage.