20 December 2011

"Son-in-law" eggs...and some big news!!!


So dear friends...I've been keeping a little secret from you. Please excuse me for this, but I just wanted to be mum about it until everything was all official. But now that is, I'm pleased to announce that...we are leaving Paris! Yes, you read right, we'll soon be moving out of the wondrous "City of Lights" that I've called home for almost 6 years and Luis for 18 years. And where will we be going, you're probably asking? Today's recipe - a fun and delicious Thai dish called "son-in-law" eggs - should give you a pretty strong hint! If not, this might. Or this. So can you guess? Well you've probably figured it out...we're moving to Thailand!

Why is this happening, you might be wondering. Well to make a long story short, we both fell in love with Thailand during our visit there last year. This coupled with a newfound desire to work in Asia (which is my home continent after all) after years of working in different parts of Africa and Europe led me to apply for a new job with our regional office in Bangkok. And as luck would have it, it worked out! Yay!


To say that we're excited would be an understatement. The idea of trading in our winter coats and scarves for shorts and sandals, being immersed in one of the most amazing food cultures and food cities in the world and the opportunity to easily travel around Asia - it is really too exciting for words, and we feel very blessed! At the same time though, we'd be lying if we said that we're not sad at the idea of leaving Paris. Though I've generally had a love-hate less than love relationship with the city for most of my time here, it has become home. I've met so many wonderful people here, and we are both bummed about the idea of leaving all of our fabulous friends. And we'll definitely miss the amazing aspects of French gastronomy that have been a regular feature on this blog - the champagne, the wine, the bread, the cheeses, the pastries, the markets, the wonderful regional French dishes, the cuisines of France's former colonies (particularly those from the Maghreb and West Africa), and more generally the French way of eating - the belief that food and the enjoyment of food are indeed sacred pleasures.

But enough waxing nostalgic about Paris...as there will be several posts on that topic coming up as we prepare to leave! No this is all about our future home Thailand...and in honor of that, I have the pleasure of sharing the recipe for a very interesting dish called "son-in-law" eggs. We didn't have it while there last year, but I happened to come across the recipe in my fabulous and gorgeous Thai cookbook called Thai Food and Cooking: A Fiery and Exotic Cuisine: The Traditions, Techniques, Ingredients and Recipes by Judy Bastyra and Becky Johnson, which I picked up while leaving Bangkok. Legend has it that a potential bridegroom wanted so desperately to impress his future mother-in-law that he decided to cook for her. Alas, the only dish he knew how to make was boiled eggs, but he was creative enough to come up with this delicious  recipe using just that. I have no idea whether this story has any basis in fact, but I do know that these crispy fried eggs topped with a tangy, sweet, spicy sauce are insanely delicious! Both Luis and I actually agreed that they are actually the best eggs that we've ever had!




I ended up using and adapting this easy version of "son-in-law" eggs from Rasa Malaysia, one of my favorite food blogs. I totally forgot the fried shallot topping but will try it next time as I'm sure that it adds a wonderful crunch. Or maybe I'll just wait until we get to Thailand (end of January 2012) to try the real thing!


"SON-IN-LAW" EGGS
Adapted from Rasa Malaysia
Serves 2-3 as a snack/salad

4 large eggs
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
2 big shallots, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 generous teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 tablespoons tamarind paste
2 tablespoons palm or brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon fish sauce and/or soy sauce
Fresh coriander and scallions, for garnish
Chopped Thai red chillies, for garnish

1. Hard-boil the eggs for 8-10 minutes. Peel and set aside.

2. Heat enough oil to deep fry the four eggs in a shallow pan. Fry the eggs, turning so that they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides. Be careful doing this!

3. Remove the fried eggs from the oil and place on a small plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. In the same pan, deep fry the shallots. When they are golden and crispy, place them in a small bowl lined with paper towels.

4. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, cut each egg in half to form eight halves. Arrange on a plate.

5. In a small saucepan, heat a bit of oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and do a quick saute.

6. Add the tamarind paste, sugar and fish sauce/soy sauce. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat.

7. Pour the sauce over the eggs and garnish with the fried shallots, fresh coriander and scallions and slices of red chillies. Serve immediately or cool down to room temperature and eat as a salad.

12 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous dish! Congrats on your move. I am so jealous.

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  2. Wow! Congratulations on the big news...I imagine Thailand to be paradise for a foodie! Great recipe - thanks!

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  3. Oh yum! I love eggs 24 hours of the day as you well know. This dish reminds me a bit of something my mom makes just with pan fried eggs. I'm going to miss exploring Paris' gastronomy with you! It's been a wonderful 6 years knowing you and Luis were there as a little bit of home.

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  4. COngrats on your move! So excited for you. And hey, Thailand just might be in my travel plans in the next year or so as well! I look forward to reading all about your new adventures :)

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  5. Congrats n best wishes for the new city..

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  6. oh wow! congrats on your move, you are truly blessed!! What a life you lead, hope it inspires others!

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  7. Wow! this sounds so delicious! It is so easy too! I love the addition of tamarind to the sauce, which as you know all Indians, especially South Indians love. I will definitely try this, may be even today and let you know the outcome. We wish you both a very happy, healthy and prosperous life in Bangkok. We can't wait to visit you there. Our son-in-law better make this egg dish for us when we are there or make an even better version of "Son-in-law" eggs! - Mom

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  8. Loved the delicious recipe and your blog! And congrats on ur moving to Thailand!

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  9. Congraulations!! that is amazing - I hope you love Thailand to bits.
    Son in law eggs look and sound deliciously spicy :)

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  10. Congratulations! While I'll miss your tips on Paris, I'm looking forward to reading all about your new home and the adventures you'll be getting up to there!

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  11. Felicitations! I'll look forward to reading all about your food adventures in Thailand! Happy New Year, hope you have a wonderful celebration!

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