Indulge in a week of Asian delights with the creamy and spicy Thai soup Tom Ka Talay and our Chinese pork in oyster sauce. Quick, tasty, and full of flavor, these recipes are any food lover's dream. Get ready for a culinary adventure!

Tom Ka Talay is a delicious Thai soup with a coconut milk base and seafood (talay means seafood). This soup has a slightly spicy, yet creamy and aromatic taste. Here is a recipe to prepare Tom Ka Talay at home:

 

Ingredients:

• 200g of seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels, fish, etc.)
• 400ml of coconut milk
• 2 cups of vegetable broth or chicken broth (you can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
• 2-3 stalks of lemongrass, crushed and cut into smaller pieces
• 3-4 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces
• 3-4 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 3-4 thin slices of galangal 
• 2-3 red chili peppers, cut into pieces or halved (or to taste)
• 200g of shimeji mushrooms or a mix of Asian mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon of tom yum paste or red curry paste (optional, for a more intense flavor)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• Salt, to taste
• 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
• Freshly chopped coriander for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, add the coconut milk and vegetable broth or chicken broth and let them simmer over medium heat.

 

2. Add the lemongrass stalks, kaffir lime leaves, ginger, galangal (or ginger), chili peppers, and mushrooms to the pot. Let them simmer for 5-10 minutes until the aromatic ingredients release their flavors.

 

3. Add tom yum paste or red curry paste (if you want a spicier soup) and mix well.

 

4. Add the seafood (shrimp, squid, clams, fish) to the pot and cook them until they are well done. This only takes a few minutes, depending on the size and type of seafood.

 

5. Add sugar, salt, and fresh lime juice to taste. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

 

6. Remove the lemongrass stalks, kaffir lime leaves, ginger, galangal, and chili peppers from the pot.

 

7. Serve Tom Ka Talay hot, garnished with freshly chopped coriander. It can be served as a soup or as a main dish, alongside simply cooked Jasmine rice.
 

Pork with oyster sauce is a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish. Here is a simple recipe to prepare pork with oyster sauce:

 

Ingredients:

• 400g pork (usually sliced thinly)
• 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 or more chili peppers, chopped into small pieces (adjust the amount according to your preference for spiciness)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Cornstarch dissolved in water (to thicken the sauce)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Chopped green onion for garnish (optional)