From Bangkok To Bali In 30 Minutes Or Less
My trip from Bangkok to Bali was 5 hours. But, if you'd like to travel from Bangkok to Bali in less than 30 minutes, just step into your kitchen. No passport needed - just a copy of the cookbook written by my Uncle Byron and Aunt Theresa featuring easy-to-make recipes from South East Asia. There are all sorts of tips for substituting common ingredients when the exotic items are not handy. For example - no need to search for kaffir lime - just use regular lime! Or use brown sugar and soy sauce to sub for tamarind sauce.
I was in college in Santa Barbara when they were writing their first cookbook; 'True Thai' (which is also fantastic and easy enough for a novice like me to master). I was living on the standard college diet of pizza, ramen and burritos. Weekends to visit them in L.A.and take part in their 'test kitchen' was a delicious treat.
I'm looking forward to cooking when I get home. If you get a craving for Thai and you are a patient and forgiving dinner guest, give me a ring. Or better yet, next time Uncle B and Aunt T come to visit perhaps we can talk them into being celebrity guest chef on Alvarado st. I hear Uncle B and Aunt T have added a great sous chef duo to their culinary team - their identities are held top-secret and they go by the name 'Las Suavacitas'.
