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Sherri Pengjad is the blogger of thai-foodie.com where she encourages food lovers to discover the wonderful nuances of Thai food.
Her culinary journey began from her first Thai food experience with her friend in college where pineapple fried rice won her heart. After graduating college, she moved to Bangkok, teaching English for two years all while chowing down on delicious Thai food.
She met her husband, got married then moved back to North Carolina, where her only means of eating Thai food was to make it herself. Through trial and error, Sherri honed her cooking skills and decided to share her love and passion with others.
Through thai-foodie.com and her cooking class, Sherri teaches the basics so anyone can make a delicious Thai meal at home.
We start the interview by discussing her experiences traveling with her four children. With both local and international trips, Sherry thinks every parent can learn more and enjoy travel more with their kids.
Parents can see the world through their children’s eyes, revealing simple and fun beauty in every destination. Kids are not a hindrance to travel but another way of understanding and experiencing the world around us.
Sherri dives into her story and the moments that made her fall in love with Thai food and her amazing experiences living in Bangkok.
Food is such an intricate part of social life in Thailand. Instead of asking “How are you?”, people ask, “Have you eaten rice yet?”
The food is so inexpensive, that most Thai people do not cook at home because it is cheaper to eat on the street.
We move on to Passport Nights, where Sherri introduces her kids to international destinations through food and culture.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to try your own Passport Nights:
- Eat a meal that originates from another country
- Talk about the culture and history.
- Listen to some of the music
- Improvise with the ingredients you have
- Ask the kids where they want to go next time
If you are new to Thai food, here are the recommendations Sherri thinks are the best place to start.
Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)– This is a great introduction because you discover essential Thai flavors such as lemongrass and coconut milk. The soup is creamy and familiar all while bringing in those important Thai expressions.
Pad Thai– A stir-fried rice noodle dish that is a common street food in Thailand. This is a real Thai dish but different ingredients are used to Americanize the flavors at most Thai restaurants. In her recipe, Sherri makes sure to use the essential Thai ingredients that give her’s a more authentic impression.
Mango Sticky Rice– Sweet Thai rice cooked to perfection with coconut milk and served with a super ripe mango. A quintessential and perfect dessert.
If you are hungry for more, Sherri thinks these are the best dishes to try next
Som Tam (Papaya Salad)– A spicy side salad made from shredded green papaya mixed with fish sauce, dried shrimp, tomatoes, green beans, garlic, peanuts, and lime. The ingredients sound strange but they work so well, packing a delicious heat and citrus crunch to a meal.
Tom Yum (Hot and Sour Soup)– A hot and sour soup often made with shrimp. There are many ways to customize the dish, so experiment and make it your own.
Laab (Minced Pork Salad)– Minced pork cooked with spices and served with rice. This is a good go-to dish if you are unsure what to eat at a Thai restaurant.
Through this episode, I hope your excitement grows for Thai food. This cuisine was unfamiliar to me for so long, and I wish I discovered it sooner. Try a recipe, eat at a Thai restaurant, or fly to Thailand and try it for yourself! Don’t waste time not eating it!
Chris Kretzer has traveled the world visiting over 35 countries and eating his way through every city. With his wife Tiarra, they explore different food cultures and create food guides, podcasts, and travel articles helping everyone experience the world through food.