November 2014 – Mayla's rants

Pan Seared Gravlax with Kampot Pepper & Carmelised Shallots

November 26, 2014July 24, 20151 Comment

Returning from a holiday from the Baltics my mom carried back with her a huge half salmon gravlax. Since i had steamed some brown rice i felt eating it raw would match, it was a busy week and i didn’t grocery shop so my fridge was bare and nothing to pair it with. So out came my trust pan, heated high and then a slash of rice bran oil, skin side down and flipped over. (My shallots were caramelizing 10 minutes earlier) The skin was crispy and delicious. Now with my previous trips to Cambodia brought back jars of kampot pepper, and yes it has a deeper aroma than normal peppercorns, and slices of lime for decoration and wedges for squeezing. Luckily i didn’t salt the fish, i suspected that curing would mean it has quite a bit of salt into it and yes it was salty. Great for mixing with hot rice though, but now i’m wondering how much salt does cured or smoked salmon have? It doesn’t taste salty raw but when cooked all the brine just comes out!! Interesting… Yum….

Khmer Street Eats

November 19, 2014November 30, 2015Leave a comment

On the way back into Siem Reap Town i asked our local guide to stop for a real Cambodian lunch. He hesitated at first and i reassured him it was what i wanted so we stopped at a little roadside stall. They served rice noodles with two types of curry to choose from. The first bubbling pot was a light green curry with minced freshwater fish. I’m assuming probably a species of catfish… It looked nice and light…

The next pot looked much heartier, and more luscious thicker curry and smelt really nice. They also had a smaller pot bubbling away at the back which i didn’t know what it was…

I chose the green curry and into the bowl went a handful of the fresh rice noodles, kinda like a spaghetti but really translucent and light not at all heavy like pasta. She then sliced some banana blossoms onto the bowl before topping witht he green fish curry.

On the long wooden tables were a basket of fresh veggies and condiments. Their veggies basket contained alot of the same vegetables served in Thailand with curry and rice noodles ore to the southern part of Thailand which are different than those of central or northern Thailand.

Although Cambodians dont flavor their food as fiercely spicy as Thai Food, their bird eye chillies sure packed a powerful punch!

Limes, Chillies, and Fish Sauce with Pickled Chillies

As compared to Thai food, their curry was much lighter, thai green curry is more rich and thicker. This one was light and was more for adding and layering your own flavors. I added limes and chillies to mine, and i enjoyed every drop! The portion looked small because i requested only one handful of noodles. For others it was 3 handfuls and covered the bowl. It costs around 2500 riels which was about 60 cents USD… Until Next Time!

Shrimp and Pineapple Salad

November 19, 2014November 30, 2015Leave a comment

Nice Khmer dish, light and refreshing on a hot day

This is a nice light starter, i ate on my last trip to Siem Reap.. The ingredients were shrimp, squid rings with lime, mint and peanuts. A light hint of chilli with a great balance of sweetness. Yum!

Craaaabbbbbb

November 12, 2014July 24, 20152 Comments

Fresh piping hot crab.. With dark meat gravy.... — Fresh piping hot crab.. With dark meat gravy….

Life’s simple… Freshly steamed crab, dig out all the yummy brown meat, some chicken stock, garlic, carmelised onions, black pepper corns and some salt. Pour everything back in the shell, arrange artfully or in my case not so artfully on a white plate. Garnish with dill fronds and serve… Dig in….. YUM!!!

Superb Eggy Brekkie…..

November 12, 2014Leave a comment

Comfort Food. Thick toast, crispy and runny yolky middle, crunchy bacon on the outside and a bit of lettuce and sprinkled cheese to bring it all together... — Comfort Food. Thick toast, crispy and runny yolky middle, crunchy bacon on the outside and a bit of lettuce and sprinkled cheese to bring it all together…

It really looks harder than it really is!!! I brought a thick english loaf, buttered on both sides and start toasting it on a pan. When one side is done, flip over and break egg into the middle. I close the lid of the pan for a minute just until the yolk is set, i scatter the cheese, sprinkle the bacon and pop it to the grill just for a nice brown caramel on the cheese. A sprinkling of shredded lettuce for a spot of green completes it. It took me a total of 15 minutes to make a breakfast for 3, healthy wholesome start! What’s important are fresh eggs, because it will hold together and not be so watery and seep everywhere. Cheers!!!! Happy Morning to all!