While we were walking around town near our hotel, we came across a restaurant called May Kaidee’s Vegetarian which offered cooking classes at a pretty reasonable price.  We agreed to eat at the restaurant, and then to take the cooking class if we liked the food.  Needless to say, we loved the food!  We had super delicious Tom Kha, a coconut milk soup that is spicy, sweet and sour, and from that moment we knew we’d be learning how to cook there.

Cooking School

What we didn’t know was that we’d be cooking with May herself!  She was an enthusiastic and helpful teacher.  First things first – make chili paste.  We made green chili paste, which consists mainly of chilis, but also of garlic, lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaves, and onions.  Step one: mash in mortar and pestle.  Step two: mash again.  Step three: repeat.  Not too difficult but it can be tiring since you need to do so much smashing.  We were humbled by how quickly May’s assistant was able to make paste!

Makin' Paste in Thailand

After we’d finished, May took us to a vegetable market near the restaurant.  There we gathered some of the veg we’d be using for the class later:

En Route to Market

The Fruits (and chili peppers) Of Our Labors

Then we visited a woman whose only job was to make spring roll wrappers!  We bought several from her.  These are unusual because they are wheat-based, not rice-based like many of the ones available elsewhere.

Spring Roll Mama

When we got back, we went to the kitchen area where they had cut up everything we’d need into bite-sized chunks and arranged them in white bowls.  We’re of mixed mind about this – it certainly saved us a bunch of time during the class (allowing us to cook 8 recipes) but also kept us from feeling quite that we could cook everything from scratch.  It was still an amazing experience and we produced some seriously delicious food.  Our favorites were Tom Yum, Issan, and of course Pad Thai!  Everything was delicious, though!  We hope we’ll be able to remember what we learned when we get back.

Our Culinary Palette

Issan, Sticky Rice, and Dipping Sauce

Of course what kind of cooking class would be complete without Thai dancing?  That is the part where May makes everyone (even restaurant customers) get up and dance!  It was a little awkward at first but fun :)

Pad Thai

Overall, an unforgettable experience.  And an enlightening one!