2 great Thai recipes

Thai New Year, or Songkran, takes place between 13-15 April this year and is often referred to as the water festival, as it traditionally celebrates the end of the dry season. During Songkran, it is customary to celebrate with loved ones by throwing water on them - it is believed the water washes away evil and misfortune.
Another tradition is to show generosity and this usually takes the form of a Thai banquet. So invite your friends and family around and tempt them with these mouthwatering Thai recipes.
Thai beef salad
Salad will never be the same again! Get your taste buds tingling with this authentic meaty treat
Serves 2-3
Ready in 20 minutes
2tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
2 bird's eye chillies, deseeded and finely sliced
200g lean minced beef
1 red onion, sliced
2tbsp Fish Sauce
1tbsp Light Soy Sauce
1tsp sugar
Handful basil leaves or coriander leaves (optional)
Mixed lettuce leaves, to serve
Handful chopped peanuts, to garnish

1. In a wok or frying pan, heat the oil and fry the garlic and chillies, stirring well, until the garlic begins to brown.
2. Add the minced beef and stir fry over a high heat, breaking apart the meat and mixing in the garlic and chilli.
3. Add the onion, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and basil leaves (if using) to the pan and continue to stir fry until the beef is cooked through.
4. Arrange on top of the lettuce leaves and top with chopped peanuts.

Thai chicken fried rice
Forget egg fried rice, this delicious recipe is packed with a wonderful array of flavours and textures
Serves 2-3
Ready in 20 minutes
2tbsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 bird's eye chillies, finely chopped
100g chicken, finely chopped or minced
1tbsp Fish Sauce
¼tsp granulated sugar
1tbsp Light Soy Sauce
Handful basil leaves (optional)
225g cooked rice
1 small onion, finely sliced
½ red or yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into thin slices

1. In a wok or frying pan, heat the oil until hot. Add the garlic, chillies and chicken, and cook until the chicken changes colour.
2. Add the fish sauce, sugar and soy sauce and stir fry over a high heat until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Toss in the basil leaves (if using), followed by the cooked rice and mix gently together.
4. Add the onion and sweet pepper and stir quickly to mix. Serve immediately.

Source: articlesbase

---

Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. See how.