Chiang Mai (Sammy's Organic Cooking Class)

One of the things I really wanted to do while in Thailand was a cooking course.  This was something I had done last time (when I was about 13) and thought maybe this time around I would have a little more appreciation for it, having to cook for myself and all now!  So when we got to our hostel we asked one of the ladies which cooking class we should take, as there are almost literally hundreds of them, and she recommended Sammy's.  It was a full day, took you to a market, taught you 5 meals, and was out on a rice field, and of course only 1000 Baht (about 33 dollars!).  How could we say no?

So we woke up early, hopped into a tuk tuk and headed to the market.  Here Sammy (the owner) shared with us the difference between types of rice as well as teaching us about coconut milk.  It was pretty cool how he shaved the coconut and literally squeezed out the milk!

All the Types of Rice

Making that Coconut Milk!

The icing to the cake of this market visit was that we ran into a friend from Canada. Someone I did not even know was in Thailand.  Someone I had not only gone to school with as a young child, but also worked at a summer camp in the Rockies.  SMALL WORLD!

What Do You Think?  Most Beautiful Toilets in Thailand?

After the amazing meeting and the market we headed to Sammy's house.  This is where the cooking lesson takes place.  And what an amazing location it is!  There are hammocks to rest, lots of cooking space, a beautiful table to eat on with all your new friends, and of course the most beautiful toilets in Thailand (or so Sammy says, repeatedly!)

Amazing Place to Rest!

This Was For Our Siesta Time After Lunch

After a quick tour and some fresh bananas and cool water we got started.  Our first task was to familiarize ourselves with some of the natural ingredients that we were going to use.  All grown in Sammy's backyard of course! This was everything from Basil to Peppers and Lemon Grass.  Pretty cool working with such fresh ingredients.  Next we learned to make our own curry paste for our curry. This involved a lot of grinding!

Rammy Ram is Ready to Start Cutting!

Rammy Ram Was More Than Happy To Help

Making Curry Paste!

After that it was cooking time!  We each made three dishes for lunch.  I made a Green Curry, Pad Thai, and a coconut soup.  All were so delicious!

My Three Amazing Dishes!

After eating, of course we needed a break!  Food coma!

Hammock Time!

Looking Out on the Fields

After a quick (read 1 hour) siesta it was back to cooking!  This time we made an appetizer and a dessert.  Both were group efforts and super delicious!

Spring Rolls!

Working Hard to Make Dessert!

My Mango and Sticky Rice Creation!

Finally it was time to go home.  What an amazing day!  Great food, great new friends, and a great time!  We even got a cooking book so we could make the same dishes at home!  I loved this course.  It was easy, in English, and Sammy was so funny and friendly. Would absolutely do it again!

Sammy and His Wife, Our New Friends!