INSIDE
Advertisement
For fine and Bizarre collage(s) with frames as per requirement, feel free to write to Tanya Loveinsky at:
fnbworld@gmail.com
|
Going Thai Way...Songkran and Tom Yum
soup
Last
Bite/Ravi
V.Chhabra
A few years ago,
New Delhi boasted of at least one exclusive and
authentic Thai cuisine specialty restaurant. It
was perfect in every manner from decor to the
seating arrangement and of course an elaborate
menu. Food critics would well be reminiscing Ban
Thai at the Oberoi Intercontinental. One wonders
why it shut shop
intermittently.
Fortunately, Shangri La's 19 Oriental
Avenue has come as a savior for Delhi's Thai food
seekers. The charming waitress ushered me to the
huge dining table laid before the open-air modular
kitchen.It was an invitation to savour authentic
Thai festive delicacies on the occasion of
Songkran, the Thai traditional New Year at Shangri
La hotel, New Delhi. Maha Songkran is celebrated
on the 13 th of April every year and the revelry
lasts for three days.
The entrance of 19 Oriental Avenue,
Shangri La's abode of oriental food is
artistically done up with the oblong bronze statue
of Buddha's showcased in a glass chamber that
looks dramatic in alternating blue green hue. The
grand lunch began with Thai shrimp salad with rice
noodles served in aesthetic rose wood bowls
followed by delectable chicken satey with Thai
herbs.
Chef Yonghyos Chimthep from Bangkok apprised us of the New Year celebrations back in Thailand. The houses, temples, public places and official buildings are cleaned before Songkran and the first day of the new year begins with offering alms to monks, Dhamma Practice, listening to sermons and monks-bathing followed by a succulent traditional Thai meal enjoyed with the family. Songkran is also called the 'Water Festival', as water is believed to wash away all the bad luck. The family members gather to express their gratitude to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of the parents and grandparents and exchange gifts. But, food most definitely forms the order of the day. Traditional Thai preparations like pork sausages from northern Thailand, served with peanuts and sliced ginger called Sai Gork Isaan and Yum Goong made of Tiger prawns, salad leaves and herbs combined with a spicy dressing of lemon juice, chillies and fresh coriander with Steamed Thai fragrant rice amongst others are commonly relished. The air at the venue was perfumed with the whiff of herbs as the all-time favourite spicy prawn soup (Tom Yum) with genuine Thai herbs was next before us. The clear soup with a huge singular floating prawn tasted heavenly and most of us enjoyed it. Chef Yonghyos told us about his long stint with the Shangri La group of hotels across the world. The food, no wonder, spoke a great deal about his mastery in cooking it the professional way! The people of Thailand on this day
perform a bathing rite for Buddha images and the
monks, after which the celebrants joyfully splash
water on each other (something akin to the
Indians' Holi minus the colors). However, the most
opulent celebrations are hosted in the northern
province of Chiang Mai. People from all parts of
Thailand congregate to rejoice the water festival
and watch Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful
parades. Meanwhile, our gossiping across the table
came to a halt as Duck Curry with Pineapple and
crab was served on the platter, with Chicken fried
rice with chilly paste.
The Duck Curry was impeccably garnished with fresh pineapples and luscious red chillies and tasted yummy. The rice preparation was followed by stir fried chicken and shrimps. Chicken fried rice and duck curry did a few more rounds before the main course ended. Songkran's festive menu was indeed interesting. COMMUNE/SHARE
 |
News Grille
Our Pick
For fine and Bizarre collage(s) with frames as per requirement, feel free to write to Tanya Loveinsky at:
fnbworld@gmail.com
|
