Lao Voices

Chicken soup with mixed vegetables.

Video clips from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) regarding Laos.
Part 1

Part 2

Travel to Khon Kaen Thailand in March 2008 for the inaugural Isan Food Festival and its culinary masterclass. Festival dates are 7-16 March 2008.
Thailand’s remote Northeast Isan region is renowned for some of the kingdom’s tastiest cooking. Not only that, the area hosts the finest examples of ancient Khmer temples to be seen outside of [...]

During fish season my relatives in Pakse tend to make steamed fish to serve at festival time. There are so many boun in the Lao calendar so you can expect to cook a great deal of food almost monthly. Steamed fish can be make in large quantity using steamer called Mor Seung. Usually steamed vegetables [...]

Soured cabbage or Som Phak Galam Pee is great with smoked pork’s ears and feet. Make sure you don’t take this to work or else it will really stink up the place. Laocook has a great recipe for those that don’t know how to make it.

A view of the soufrom a terrace restaurant at a hotel in Pakse.

To honor the Lao Traditional Food Festival 2008 that is taking place at the Lao National Culture Hall in Vientiane today and tomorrow, I have selected a few photos to showcase Lao dishes that would be presented at the festival.
This is the second Lao Traditional Food Festival and it is expected to be bigger and [...]

There is nothing more inviting than the delicious taste of warm ping kai and bung khao larm during festival times. When I think of ping kai and bung khao larm I think of Boun That Luang.

Video description: One California man would like more of us to eat insects. He even adds them to the ingredients of candy in his candy store.

The financial means of the bride and groom’s families determine the wedding guest list and the type of food that will be served at a reception. You can buy a menu ranging from 70,000 Kip to 100,000 Kip or more per person. A dinner reception would be a buffet style with food and drinks, sufficient [...]

One of my co-workers asked if I heard the story of the Green M&Ms, and of course I haven’t. She said that they came out with all Green Peanut M&Ms and showed me the package. The first thing that came to mind was that it must be for St. Patrick’s day that is coming [...]

Fuelwood is the only main source of cooking and heating consumption in Laos. While the production of electricity from hydro-power is substantial, most of it is exported to Thailand and other neighboring countries. According to the recent report by the Vientiane Times Newspaper, firewood and charcoal remain the household fuel of choice and account [...]

Imagine you managed to save half of your crop from the flood and just when you think the worse is over, then you are hit with unexpected rainfall at a time that is supposed to be a dry season, with no rain. The storm in Vietnam the last few weeks brought more rain, showering the [...]

Breakfast:
One cup light soy milk
One banana
Lunch:
Green papaya and brown rice vermicelli salad with cabbage
Ginger and honey tea

Dinner:
Whole wheat penne with chicken
Ginger and honey tea
Rooibos tea

Well I’m glad my mother’s tea recipe is helping Darly fight the sniffles. For anyone who would like to make a cup of their own, here is a list of the ingredients and picture too.  As for me, I like to chew on the ginger for the extra zing too.

Ingredients: honey, lime (or [...]