Street Food: Exploring the World's Most Authentic Tastes
By Tom Kime
Vatch's Thai Street Food
By Vatcharin Bhumichitr
Kyle Books / 2007 / $19.95
Though he's known for his Asian restaurants in London and Miami, "Vatch" is a native of Thailand who still remembers the thrill of hearing a bicycle bell or the clang of a spoon against a pan outside his home. It usually meant something good to eat was near.
Vatcharin Bhumichitr's book explores the differences in street cuisine throughout the country's regions, from the Malay-influenced Curried Rice and Chicken With Fresh Pickle you might find in a Bangkok market to the Fried Vermicelli With Pork and Scallions served at village festivals in the northeast.
The serving sizes reflect the difference in eating habits between the United States and the rest of the world. A notation at the beginning of the book says that most recipes "will provide enough for a light snack for two people if eaten on its own, or enough for four if part of a larger meal with other dishes."
The Shrimp With Ginger from the northern part of the country, though, is tasty and easy to double if you'd like to make it a more substantial entree.
kate.shatzkin@baltsun.com
Char Siew (Chinese Barbecued Pork)
Serves 4 to 6
3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
1 1/4 pounds fresh pork shoulder, cut into long strips about 1 1/2 inches thick
Combine the ingredients except the pork to make a marinade. Stir well to mix. Place the pork in a glass or ceramic dish, pour in the marinade and refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours. Turn a few times to ensure that the meat is coated by the marinade.
Heat an outdoor grill to medium and place the pork on the grill over indirect heat. (You can also cook this in a grill pan or under a broiler.) Cook the pork for 15 minutes, brushing with the marinade and turning to avoid burning. Serve hot or cold with crisp lettuce and cucumber slices; in salads, soups or stir-fries; or with some chili jam or sambal-style sauce.
From "Street Food"
Per serving (based on 6 servings): 167 calories, 21 grams protein, 7 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 3 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 61 milligrams cholesterol, 846 milligrams sodium