Growing up as a child I was a very picky eater. Ordering a burger was very easy for me, I only needed meat and cheese with condiments. Please hold the lettuce, pickles, onions and tomatoes. People would try to convince me to taste various foods and my answer would be “no thank you”. Well, as am I getting older my food palette is growing. I am beginning to be open towards trying other types of food. I decided that I was going to go to a cooking class in Thailand. It was recommended that I try “Cooking with Poo”. I was interested in this particular class because Khan Poo the head chef gives back to her community by teaching people how to cook and providing them with job skills.
I took the train to the city, which was an adventure in itself. When attempting to get in the train, you have to line up, you are not supposed to just jump on the train. When the train arrived it was jam packed, I had to push my way inside of the train to get a spot because I didn’t want to miss the van that was going to pick us up at the designated location.
After arriving at the location, there was a group of approximately 10 people. Our first stop was the fresh market. The market was very interesting as the smells were very overwhelming and not in a positive way. In addition we saw various animals that are a part of the Thailand menu that I am not personally into trying.
After leaving the market we arrived at the cooking class. It was nice contrast from the fresh market due to the soothing green colors on the wall, air condition and a clean area to cook. We started off with an appetizer of a fruit called pomelo (think grapefruit without the tart taste), peanuts and chicken. Next we had a delicious coconut soup with chunks of chicken The main dish was a yummy Pad Thai, ingredients: included noodles, tofu, shrimp, eggs and onions with a hint of lime. Our dessert was sticky rice and mangoes. Never had sticky rice before but it was delicious.
I am so glad that i have new found appreciation for different types of food besides that food that I am accustomed to. I know loved Pad Thai and make it for my family and friends. I will now take a cooking class in the various countries that I travel to.
Make sure you try the Pad Thai recipe below from Poo’s cook book!
Very WELL Done! Following the family theme and heritage of talent and creativity not to mention originality. I’m impressed and extremely proud if your work Tiffany.
Continue ON!!
Awe thanks for the positive feedback. I’ve always wanted to start a blog but never made it until recently. People always ask me questions about my travel, so I thought why not write about it! Thanks to other women on Facebook, they gave me tips on how to improve the site. So I like you are extremely proud of the page.
Good job on finding an appreciation for different types of foods because babeee….. I couldn’t do it. My hats off to you!
Lol @”babee” It was actually really good! Ive even learned to make pad thai at home!
This is so awesome and hats off to you. I’ve been trying to step out of my comfort zone with trying different foods but I’m not all the way there. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading Daria. Yes the more you step out of your comfort zone the easier it will get. I’m not there yet but I’ve come along way.
Were those snakes? OMG, I’m with you on that, there are some things I wouldn’t be willing to try. Kudos to you for expanding your palette!
Yes those were snakes. I didn’t eat any of the things in the fresh market. The food in the class was delicious.
It’s so crazy traveling to another country and experiencing their “norm” of life. The food is delicious though and I’m glad you gave it a try.
Right, I like to see the touristy things but I like to see how the locals live. Yes the least i could do is try!
Bizarre foods is one of my favorite shows. I’m a vegetarian and just can’t stomach eating an animal; but I like to see the creativity of different cultures. Eating native food is one of the best parts of travel. Love, seeing what you share.
I’m going to have to watch the show, I’ve never heard of it before! Right eating the food appears that you want to know the people and places you are visiting vs. just being a guest..
Hats off to you for broadening your horizons. The food looked yummy!
I’m all about trying different things.. Thanks it was delicious!
I love trying different types of a cuisine but it’s when you experience authentic cuisine that will get you. I would probably overwhelmed at first, too, but I know it would be a great experience. Btw, I love Pad Thai!
Yes the market was very overwheliming especially the smell! I think i held my breath pretty much the entire time! But going to the cooking class was a great contrast, it was cool and the food was fresh and delicious. Yay, for the pad thai lovers!
Sounds like a great experience. I’m sure that the sticky rice and mango was delish. Looks yummy!
Yes I’ve never done a cooking class before, I plan to do one if i stating in a country or city for significant amount of time. I didn’t think I was going to like the sticky rice but it was very tasty,
sounds like an awesome experience. I’ve done a cooking class, but not while on vacation. I think I will try one when I go to Spain.
Yes I’m so glad I decided to do it. My cousin didn’t want to and i told her I would see her later, after that she jumped on board and now is open to trying it during our next vacation. I def think you should try it in Spain, let us know how you like it when you come back.
I love Thai food, especially Pad See Eww and Mango Sticky rice, oh and let’s not forget Tom Yum soup.
So i guess i need to step my Thai food game up because I have never tasted Pad See and Tom Yum Soup. Do you go to restaurant and eat or you know how to cook these foods?
Girl! I would have tossed my insides looking around the market. Glad to see your finished product didn’t include any of those things. I do enjoy Pad Thai. This is one for the books for certain.
LOL, I was literally holding my nostrils while we walked through the market. It was def an experience! Yes i was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the food. Yes checked it off my bucket list.
Never thought about taking a cooking class on vacation but it sounds like fun. I agree with you some of the raw food in the market is not (ever) for me…lol
Hey Tiffany! Glad to see you cooking with poo! Love her!
Hey Dwight, Are you apart of Nomadness? I discovered her through that group. The food was great and i love her mission.
Yes I am, but I made a youtube video about her and have been following her story for years too.
What is the link to the youtube video, I want to watch.
Sure! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Oe8p2bnJY
Hey, I think we cooked the exact meal, now i want some pad thai! LOL Glad you wee able to do a video vs. still videos
In hindsight I would’ve made it shorter. But thanks for taking a look and see you in tribe or the blogging group 😀
Yes I agree just a little bit shorter to keep the audience attention, but it was def good footage. See you around
Yeah… nah. I can’t manage certain foods – I’m probably too old to change. Frogs, snails, worms, grubs, rats, dogs…. not happening. But I applaud you for giving it a try. I will just be watching in wonder. Fun post!
I didn’t try any of those animals you mentioned, I cant manage those foods either. LOL What are grubs? Thank you, this was a great class and I would def do it again.
As a happy vegetarian, Pad Thai is my all time favorite Thai dish. The flavors of the spices with Thai food is so tantalizing, it’s hard not to love ❤️
I’m so glad I was introduced to Pad Thai, it is great because you can cook with noodles and veggies for vegetarians or meat eaters can add the type of meat or seafood they like meat.
I really enjoyed your post. I love travel and immersing myself in different cultures. Your pics and your step by step description of your experience on the food tour and cooking class. I would love to visit one day.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed the blog post. This was my first time taking a cooking class abroad and I’m so glad I did because your exactly right, it allowed me to be immersed into there culture and food. The market is a big part of there everyday life.
Oh my…what an experience! I’m not sure my stomach would let me get through this market!!!
I didn’t mind seeing things in the market, it was the smell (I closed my nose while walking through) but the class made for a great experience!
Food venturing is definitely not my strong suit. Bravo for your bravery!
Thank You! LOL, If you would have asked me several years ago this would have been my answer as well. My palette has def come a long way.
Omg I would have freaked out at the market. You guys tried great dishes. I love Pad Thai.
I love pad thai as well and now know how to make it! My family loves when I make the dish.
You are braver than me. I wouldn’t be able to do it but my hat goes off to you.
LOL, I didn’t try anything at the market only the food prepared during the class.
I think that is an awesome idea to take a cooking class! Will definitely take note of that! My palette has definitely expanded since getting older. I tried kangaroo while in Aruba and it was wonderful!
Yes, now that I have taken the class, my goal is to take a cooking class when I travel to new countries. Wow kangaroo, I wouldn’t have even thought to try that. I’m so glad my palette is growing, trying different cuisine is wonderful.
I’m planning to take a few cooking classes soon so I can start cooking more. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for reading, I should start taking classes in the states, I enjoy trying new recipes
Some things that they call food would just never pass my mouth…
It’s good to learn about other nations cuisine though.
Me too, certain things I’m just not trying. I do enjoy learning about the nation’s cuisine.
I’m over here falling out at some of the pics. More power to you, hun!
LOL Oh no don’t fall out, I hope I don’t have to call 911 to rescue you. LOL
Great job expanding your palette and trying new things. Isn’t that what traveling is all about?!
Yes, I agree traveling is all about trying new things!