Good Friends and Good Food

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in the States and we've just got back from spending a few days with some good friends in Indiana (hence the day's delay on this post!). 

This was our fourth and final Thanksgiving here and my favourite. We got to take a trip to a new State to us, enjoy time with good friends who we haven't seen for a while and who are like family, eat some total yumminess, relax a little in the midst of the craziness of an international move, get some good deals in the Black Friday sales on things we really needed to buy before we leave ... and lots more! What was not to love?!

Thanksgiving is often stereotyped as an excuse for gluttonous feasting ... and to be fair, I haven't gone hungry any year we've celebrated it out here! There is a lot of pumpkin involved, as well as other combinations of food that wouldn't necessarily feel natural to me to put together on a plate but it has always been delicious!

Thanksgiving Dinner

This year, the day after Thanksgiving I got to treat our hosts to another yummy feast, this time one of Thai food. When I was studying at All Nations, I had a really good Thai friend, who taught me to cook 'real' Thai food, rather than a westernised version (much to my husband's delight!). We often enjoy a Thai meal at home but from time to time I'll cook three or more dishes when we entertain and give our friends a real 'party in their mouths'!

One of my favourites is the Matsaman Curry, so I always include that ... here's the recipe according to my wonderful Thai friend! Serve with basmati rice.

• Matsaman Curry Paste (approx 1Tbsp ... sometimes more!)
• 1 tin of coconut milk
• 500g beef or chicken, inch cubed
• 300g potatoes, inch cubed
• 1 cup milk
• 1 onion, cubed
• large handful of peas or green beans
• 50g salted peanuts
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp fish sauce

1. In a large saucepan, bring half coconut milk to boil and mix in paste
2. Add meat & when cooked, add extra coconut milk
3. Add potato (& water if necessary to cover potato)
4. Add milk
5. Add onion
6. Add peanuts
7. Add brown sugar and fish sauce
8. Boil/Simmer til it's all cooked