The Elegance of Khanohm Khaang Khaao (ขนมค้างคาว)
If palaces represent grandeur and wealth within a society, and poems often focus on emotional experience or the beauty of language, then the significance of a dumpling may be inferred by its structured elegance and minimalism – each fold and pleat a deliberate act, and each filling a curated experience constructing comfort in its most elemental form. Khanom khaang khaao (ขนมค้างคาว) is a traditional Siamese fried, triangular-shaped dumpling with obvious Chinese origins. Its earliest recorded recipe can be traced back to Jao Khraawk Thaawng Yuu (เจ้าครอกทองอยู่), a distinguished aristocrat from the royal court of Ayutthaya. Historical records indicate that, from the early days of the Rattanakosin era, her recipe was a favored snack within the Siamese royal court. These dumplings are shaped like triangles and, according to some, resemble bats: For this reason, they are called khanom khaang khaao (ขนมค้างคาว) – ‘the bat’s treat’. The dumpling’s dough is made from rice and mung bean flours; its filling is prepared by combining grated coconut and shrimp meat, which are cooked together into a dense, flavorful mixture that brings out the nutty-sweet taste of the grated coconut and the savory-sweet flavors of the shrimp. Kaffir lime leaves, sliced into hair-thin juliennes, add a hint of citrus.
Delicious Rice (ข้าวน่าอร่อย; khaao naa a raawy)
Delicious Rice (ข้าวน่าอร่อย; khaao naa a raawy)
Delicious Rice, a royal Thai fried rice combining shrimp, pork and chicken with elaborate garnishes including pickled vegetables and salted egg. From Jeeb Bunnak's 1945 cookbook.
Steamed Gelatinous Rice with Beef Topping (ข้าวเหนียวนึ่งหน้าเนื้อ; khaao niaao neung naa neuua)
Steamed Gelatinous Rice with Beef Topping (ข้าวเหนียวนึ่งหน้าเนื้อ; khaao niaao neung naa neuua)
Steamed Sticky Rice with Beef Topping features pandan-infused rice crowned with coconut-fried salted beef floss. From Jeeb Bunnak's 1945 Thai cookbook.
Roman Tube Noodles (Macaroni) (แป้งหลอดโรมัน; bpaaeng laawt ro:h man)
Roman Tube Noodles (Macaroni) (แป้งหลอดโรมัน; bpaaeng laawt ro:h man)
Roman Tube Noodles, a 1945 Thai-Western fusion dish with rich duck broth and macaroni. From Jeeb Bunnag's 'Cookbook of Desserts, Tea Accompaniments, and Snacks or Appetizers'.
Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodles (ขนมจีนญวน; khanohm jeen yuaan)
Vietnamese-Style Fermented Rice Noodles (ขนมจีนญวน; khanohm jeen yuaan)
Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodles features fermented rice noodles layered with fresh shrimp, pork, and herbs, dressed with a tangy sauce. From Jeeb Bunnak's 1945 cookbook.
The Ambassador’s House Style Rice Vermicelli in Broth (หมี่น้ำบ้านราชทูต; mee naam baan raat thuut)
The Ambassador’s House Style Rice Vermicelli in Broth (หมี่น้ำบ้านราชทูต; mee naam baan raat thuut)
The Ambassador's House Style Rice Vermicelli features crispy rice noodles in a complex sweet-sour broth with multiple proteins. From Jeeb Bunnag, 1945.
grilled-banana-leaf-parcels-with-chicken-fried-rice
Grilled banana leaf parcels filled with butter-fried rice with chicken, chicken offal and dried spices, served with a sour-sweet coconut-base vegetable relish (ข้าวงบไก่ อาจาดอังวะ ; khaao ngohp gai aajaat angwa)
The khaao ngohp gai (ข้าวงบไก่) recipe by Mom Chao Sai Ladawan (Princess Saisawali Phirom) evokes the flavor and aesthetics of Muslim-style cooking. First, cooked rice, chicken, and chicken offal are fried with butter and perfumed with whole spices. The buttery fried rice is wrapped in banana leaves and then grilled, forming a crispy outer crust of spiced-infused rice grains.
KhaoMee
Khao Mee Seasoned Rice (ข้าวหมี่อย่างคลุก; khaao mee yaang khlook)
This article explores two methods of preparing Mee Fried Rice - the traditional Khao Mee Fried Rice and the lighter, seasoned rice alternative known as khaao mee yaang khlook. Discover the flavor chemistry at play and choose your preferred method for a delicious meal.
Crispy pork or sweet beef threads (หมูเค็มผัดฝอย; muu khem phat faawy)
Crispy sweet pork or beef threads  (หมูเค็มผัดฝอย ; muu khem phat faawy)
This is a modern version of a classic sweet meat threads condiment that often complements chili relishes or is served as a side dish in classic Siamese samrub meals.
Royal Favorite Corn Soup (ข้าวโพดทรงโปรด; khaao pho:ht sohng bpro:ht)
Royal Favorite Corn Soup (ข้าวโพดทรงโปรด; khaao pho:ht sohng bpro:ht)
Khaao pho:ht sohng bpro:ht, a corn soup of thin-sliced waxy corn boiled in stock with pork, chicken and shrimp. From Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.
Javanese-Style Dressed Glass Noodles (วุ้นเส้นชวา; woon seh chawa)
Javanese-Style Dressed Glass Noodles (วุ้นเส้นชวา; woon seh chawa)
Woon seh chawa: glass noodles in cinnamon-infused chicken broth with tangy dressing and layered toppings. From Jeeb Bunnag's 1945 cookbook of Thai snacks.
ม้งกรคาบแก้ว กับ ม้าฮ่อ ; mohng gaawn khaap gaaeo + maa haaw
Galloping horse & Crystal Dragon - Fruits Served with Sweet and Savory Peanut Sauce (มังกรคาบแก้ว กับ ม้าฮ่อ ; mohng gaawn khaap gaaeo + maa haaw)
Sweet and sour fruit slices are served with a nutty, sweet-savory peanut sauce condiment that balances the fruits’ natural tartness, and decorated with coriander leaves and julienned fresh long red pepper for a sophisticated finish. The paste-like condiment is typically made from the Three Kings of Thai cuisine (coriander root, garlic and ground white pepper) fried together with chopped shallots, minced pork belly and shrimp meat, along with crushed roasted peanuts, and seasoned with fish sauce [or salt], and palm sugar.
Thong Yip Naan Nueng (ทองหยิบนานนึ่ง; thaawng yip naan neung)
Thong Yip Naan Nueng (ทองหยิบนานนึ่ง; thaawng yip naan neung)
Thong Yip Naan Nueng, mold-fried wheat batter with crab, pork, and chicken, inverted mid-fry until golden. From Gingganok Gaanjanaaphaa, 1935.
Perplexing Mee Suaa (หมี่สั้วฉงน; mee suaa cha ngohn)
Perplexing Mee Suaa (หมี่สั้วฉงน; mee suaa cha ngohn)
Mee suaa cha ngohn: wheat noodle bundles bound with shrimp-corn paste, steamed, served in clear pork-crab broth. Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.
Chicken Corn (ข้าวโพดไก่; khaao pho:ht gai)
Chicken Corn (ข้าวโพดไก่; khaao pho:ht gai)
Chicken Corn, a delicate Thai snack where thinly sliced corn is simmered in chicken stock with shredded breast meat and salted egg yolk. From Jeeb Bunnag's 1933 cookbook.
“Sang-de-Boeuf Porcelain” Fermented Rice Noodles by Princess Jongjittanom Dissakul (ขนมจีนครามแดง อย่าง หม่อมเจ้าหญิงจงจิตรถนอม ดิศกุล ; khanohm jeen khraam daaeng)
Magical Turtle Egg Dumplings (ขนมไข่เต่าวิเศษ; khanohm khai dtao wiset)
Magical Turtle Egg Dumplings (ขนมไข่เต่าวิเศษ; khanohm khai dtao wiset)
Khanohm khai dtao wiset, oval rice flour dumplings in salty coconut cream with shrimp tomalley, from Jeeb Bunnag's 1933 cookbook.
Three Buddies Sago Dumplings (สาคูสามเกลอ; saa khuu saam gluuhr)
Three Buddies Sago Dumplings (สาคูสามเกลอ; saa khuu saam gluuhr)
Three Buddies Sago Dumplings combine chicken, pork, and shrimp coated in translucent sago pearls and served in clear broth. From Jeeb Bunnag's 1945 cookbook.
Vegetable Broth with Fried Bread Croutons (ชุบผักกับขนมปังทอด; choop phak gap khanohm bpang thaawt)
Vegetable Broth with Fried Bread Croutons (ชุบผักกับขนมปังทอด; choop phak gap khanohm bpang thaawt)
Choop phak gap khanohm bpang thaawt, six vegetables simmered and strained to a clear umami broth, topped with fried croutons. Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.
Three Noodle Bundles (เส้นสามแซ่; sen saam saae)
Three Noodle Bundles (เส้นสามแซ่; sen saam saae)
Three Noodle Bundles feature rice vermicelli, Chinese egg noodles (mee sua), and glass noodles wrapped around mustard greens and bound with seasoned pork in Pumpkin Broth. From Jeeb Bunnag's 1945 cookbook.
Italian Tube Pasta (แป้งหลอดอิตาเลียน; bpaaeng laawt i dtaa liian)
Italian Tube Pasta (แป้งหลอดอิตาเลียน; bpaaeng laawt i dtaa liian)
Bpaaeng laawt i dtaa liian, macaroni in clear bone broth with steamed pork meatballs, prawns, and shredded chicken. Jeeb Bunnag, 1933.
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