These are a few staple items found in our pantry – makings for tonight’s Thai curry. Growing up in an Asian household most of our meals included some type of rice or noodles, but mostly rice. Having been born in Thailand I’m especially fond of jasmine rice. I lived in Bangkok until I was around three or four and then I moved to the states. Upon arrival our eating habits didn’t change very much and my family continued eating rice at just about every meal even though there were plenty of other starch options available (bread, pasta, potatoes, etc.)
Whenever I make rice which is at least once a week, I have to use my rice cooker (purchased on one of our trips to Hong Kong.) This is a modest-sized rice cooker and it makes just enough for our small family of three. Bill and Brook are both very used to eating rice regularly and I love sharing this part of my past with them.
Another part that I love about rice is that when it’s cooking, aromas from the past fill our entire home. It’s an old familiar feeling that causes my belly to ache. Not the sort of aching that requires medicine, but the kind of ache that can only be cured by a trip down memory lane…or at least a taste of home cooking. Like this bowl of curry that I made using our pantry items plus some diced chicken breast and a handful of green peas for some snap.
I think that growing up I learned a lot of clever tricks from my mom on how to re-purpose common every day items. Even rice was something that could be re-used in uncommon ways! When in a pinch, my mom would use cooked rice as a glue substitute. She would do this by smooshing a few grains of rice between her finger tips making it glue-like and then she would use it to seal her letter envelopes. Looking back I wonder if this is where/when I started to see the potential in every day things.
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
I had a great jasmine rice and curry dish today at Haymarket Cafe in Northampton Ma (a wonderful place to get a variety of ethnically diverse low cost meals at lunch time) . Now your photographs and your words of cooking and homeland food memories…makes me hungry for more!
October 26th, 2009
Moms really do set the wheels in motion; my Mom, would always save unique items to re purpose. I was so thankful, when rice became a staple in our home. My Dad was on a special diet and i was soo sick of potatoes;
one night rice showed up at our meal, then rice custard, fried rice….my brother n’ I were so relieved.
I bet your house, smells wonderful, i wanted dim sum, last time you posted about food, i guess rice will be on my menu tonight.
Love it…sealing envelopes with rice!
October 26th, 2009
What kind of rice dish will you be cooking tonight? I love its versatility…paella, risotto, pilaf, jambalya, etc. It’s delicious in any and every form! But tonight I’m craving pasta with mushrooms in a cream sauce.
October 26th, 2009
my husband would be standing at your front door with eating utensils in hand if he knew about your fabulous curry…..he loves it!! and isn’t it amazing how aromas can take us straight back to our childhood?!! i have no doubt that your sweet brook will love to cook rice and curry when she has her own family…..and she’ll be reminded of all of the wonderful things that you taught her!!
October 26th, 2009
I miss your curry,looks so so good.
October 27th, 2009
My husband may be Italian, but he LOVES rice! Actually, rice is used quite a bit in Italy – risotto is almost a staple there. And I’ve never made it, but now you have inspired me to give it a whirl – thanks Becky!
October 27th, 2009
I haven’t tried this recipe, but I sure know your apple tart is a hit at my house!!
October 28th, 2009
Hi Becky! Great post! Yummy photos! I love curry! And my mom used to do the same with rice to glue stuff down all the time. I remember using that sometimes in my grade school projects when we didn’t have glue. 🙂
October 30th, 2009
Thanx for the post!!
January 2nd, 2010
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