JUL 2023 | Culinary Lifestyle Round-Up
Thai Curry Pastes, Cutting Boards, Kefir, and MORE...!
Each month, I gather helpful and interesting tidbits relating to food, wine, kitchen tools or tips, articles or books, and music that help shape my culinary lifestyle. Use them as guides and inspiration. And, feel free to share some of your own.
I currently receive no compensation for any products or brands listed here. I simply enjoy sharing the information.
FOOD
Thai Curry Pastes
I love making Thai curries any time of year, capitalizing on fresh, seasonal veggies. And, contrary to what we may think, research shows that eating spicy food in hot weather actually helps our body cool itself.
Having a flavorful curry paste on hand saves prep time, and lessens the need for stocking many extra ingredients. Over the years, I have taste-tested many brands. In addition to flavor, I seek out products that are made with real ingredients, and no or very limited additives. For Thai curry pastes, I’ve found three favorites (so far…!).
All are flavorful with varying levels of heat. Of the three, Aroy-D is the mildest. Each of these brands comes in red, green, or yellow curry paste and any color is oftentimes interchangeable in Thai curry recipes. In general, red is usually the spiciest and most robust, green is more mid-range, and yellow tends to be the mildest.
Thai curry paste can be found at local Asian grocery stores, or purchased from online retailers such as Import Food Thai Supermarket or Amazon. They are pantry shelf-stable until opened, then they should be refrigerated. They last a very long time in the refrigerator!
Give one a try in your favorite Thai curry recipe, or try my recipe for Thai Pumpkin Curry. Although pumpkin is not currently in season, substitute any other favorite seasonal vegetable in its place. Enjoy!
WINE
Riesling
Speaking of spicy Thai food, a cool, crisp Riesling makes a great pairing.
Riesling wines are known to have a punch of fruit and acid countered with some level of sweetness. The flavors of pear, apple, and apricot nicely complement full-flavored, spicy dishes.
To learn a few more specifics about Riesling wine, check out The Taster’s Guide to Riesling Wine by Wine Folly, an easy-to-understand, knowledgeable resource for all things wine.
There are many wonderful Rieslings available ranging in taste from dry to sweet, and oftentimes at reasonable price points. I lean toward those which are drier, where I can enjoy the fruit, a touch of sweetness, and a punch of acid to clear the palate. Here are a few you may enjoy. Check your local wine shop or order online.
Penner-Ash Old Vine Riesling - available at the winery and online, and also online here
Dr. Loosen - several types of classic dry to sweet Rieslings available at many local retailers and online
Charles Baur Riesling Alsace or Charles Baur Grand Cru Eichberg - both available in-store or online at Wine Authority
For more wine recommendations, take a look at these and other articles by Lettie Teague (Wall Street Journal) and Food & Wine Magazine.
HELPFUL KITCHEN TOOLS
Cutting Boards and Cutting Board Stabilizers
A good quality cutting board is an essential kitchen tool. It provides a flat, stable foundation for cutting foods, protects countertops, and extends the sharp edge and life of kitchen knives.
I recommend having at least two different types of cutting boards for a variety of food preparation.
Wood or Bamboo for veggies, fruit, and any other non-raw meat or seafood item
Composite for any type of food preparation
Acrylic for raw meat and seafood.
To avoid cross-contamination of foods, clean the cutting board between foods. Never cut fruits or vegetables on the same board as raw meat or seafood without first thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the board. Better yet, switch to a new board.
Wash and sanitize wood and bamboo boards by hand. Composite and acrylic boards can be rinsed and placed into the dishwasher.
Stabilizing a cutting board is important to prevent slips and injury, and makes cutting much easier. This can be done by placing a damp towel or cloth underneath the cutting board, or by using a manufactured stabilizer as listed below.
CUTTING BOARDS
Wood
Composite (commonly found in commercial kitchens)
Acrylic
CUTTING BOARD STABILIZERS
Smart Design Classic Grip Shelf Liner - comes in a variety of colors; cut to size
ARTICLES
Recent years have provided a plethora of positive research about gut health, and the brain-gut health connection. Yogurt and kefir are two gut and brain-friendly foods that are easy to find in grocery stores and incorporate into cooking. I’ve been making my own kefir for years, and enjoy a yogurt-kefir smoothie many mornings.
Want to learn more about kefir? Check out this article by Larissa Zimberoff for the Washington Post, March 2023 - What to know about kefir, one of the original gut-friendly foods.
MUSIC
Summer stirs up thoughts of time outdoors, laid-back gatherings such as picnics and grilling, and beach music. Here’s a classic that definitely sets the mood - Stir it Up by Bob Marley.
Listen to it anytime you need a beach-vibe lift and escape!
Have a comment or thought to share about one of these items? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below.
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