Free Spirit Tradition

Today, I would like to show you what I did yesterday. It's not about cooking but I think you might be interested as it's one among our conserved cultures. I am not sure what is the exact name of the tradition but from my understanding towards this, I'll call "Free Spirit Tradition".

Why do I call it like that?

Regarding to Buddhist's concept of reincarnation, after a person is dead, the being will be born in other world. Buddha classified the sub-worlds into 7 types. I'm afraid it might be too complicated to explain here. Human or physical world is just one among them.

What world the soul will go depends on merit or evil that we have accumulated. The rule of kharma will justify where we go.

Some souls are still worried about something in family and some are not.

The first group will be still around what he or she is worried about. For example, if he is worried about family members, he will follow family members and help in the things he or she can.

This is why some people saw my granddad sitting in front of our house in the dawn. Sometimes, there was something I felt he's still around.

So, this is not good as he would not have a chance to be born as human yet. No one in our family will have babies very soon.

We didn't want him to suffer like this (It's been almost 3 years) so we consulted some experienced expert on this thing and then we agreed to conduct the ritual for granddad's soul; Free Spirit Ritual.

Relatives came in the morning to help preparing food to give to monks and people joining the ritual.

Transferred the foods to the temple

Preparing for the ritual. The bone of him was in front of the picture. We also had to prepare food he liked (when he was a human) with fruits.

My dad was starting the ritual by paying a respect to Triple Gems.

Family members had to give the flowers and cloth to the monks. In a ritual related with dead people, the number of monks will be even like 2,4,6,..

Our relatives were holding the banana leaf float which would be used for the Free Spirit Ritual.

We're preparing to float in next couple minutes.

The float was released while my dad was preparing to float a clay pot containing granddad's bone.


My favourite scene of Khong River. From here about 6 hours by boat will be Sib-Song Panna of China.

This is newly casino with sports complex on Laos's bank. It's the join venture between Chinese and Japanese businessmen. It will be opened on 9 September 2009.

Healthy Dish: Fruits Salad

Today I'm going to show you how to make easy easy fruits salad with Thai ingredients. My mom prepare all things but she didn't allow me to take photos of her face so you can see only her hands.

Ingredients

Any fruits you want, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, lime and chille

(If you look carefully, you'll see I arrange them like a face with 2 eyes, a mouth and the hair with bang, hehe)

This dish has grapes, carrot, apple, mangosteen and Chinese pear

Lime, chopped chille and smashed garlic




How to mix them?

Put sugar and fish sauce into the fruit bowl

Squeeze the lime to get its juice! (As much as you want it's sour)

Mix them together

Yeah! Finish...^^

Hope you have a great taste of healthy salad ^^ Enjoy your meal!

Thanks my mom for all things she's done for this dish^^

Temporary Stop Updating This Blog

Dear friends,

I am now engaged with some work which I have less time to update this blog.

After I settle everything, I'll come back ^^...

It should be not more than 1 month.

But you can still listen to music I practise and play Kim at the links "Me & My Songs".

Thanks very much for following my blog.

See you again ^^

- Beam -

Naem: Yummy Salted & Sour Pork Sausage

Naem (แหนม) one among popular and yummy local food

If you have a chance to come to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai or other northern provinces, please do not miss "Naem". Personally, it's one among my most favourite food as it's sour (imaging of it now and really want to have ones) with unique taste.

The taste of Naem can be different in each area depending on the formular the locals use.

Naem can be served as main dish or side dish or even a snack for drinker (alchoholism). To eat in a healthy way, you have to cook it first by frying or grilling.

However, you can also apply and mix it with other recipe such as fried rice (so delicious...wow) or some local soup with vegetables (also another of my favourite one)

Naem is made by pork or cow meat, but pork is more popular. The meat will be mixed together with other ingredients (shredded pork skin, salt, smashed garlic and Nitrate or Nitrite compound http://dnfe5.nfe.go.th/ilp/occupation/45301/45301_1.html (Thai)) and then wrapped in a banana leaf for 2-3 days before it can be eaten.

Remarks

Naem might not be a healthy food as they put nitrate or nitrite compound to make it sour. You might get protein from pork or meat but also the substance.

However, it tastes very good and you can mix it with other ingredients to make your dish healthier. ^^ Let's have a look at the menu below;

Naem Grilled with Lemon Grass

Naem Wrapped in Wild Pepper Leaves

http://www.thaiinnofood.com/

Cellophane Noodle Mixing with Naem Salad
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=c-j-love2007&month=12-2008&date=09&group=13&gblog=15

Naem Fried with Eggs
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=nong-taky&month=08-2007&date=01&group=10&gblog=4

P.S. As the recipe I got are in Thai, if you can't find the recipe in web site, please email me at rinyabhatr@gmail.com , I'll translate it for you. (out of charge ^^)

Tuna Salad

One of the fascinating things of Thailand is Thai food. Not only foreigners but also the locals really love it.

I choose the recipe that it should be easier for you to find ingredients in your living town.

Today, I would like to present "Tuna Salad" as it's also one of my favourite, LoL. ^^ My boyfriend makes this dish so great!

It's very easy to do, let's go!

Ingredients

• Tuna in salt 1 can
• Sliced tomato 1/2
  
• Sliced onion 1/2
• Chopped bird chilli 1/2 tbsp
• Sugar 1/2 tsp
  
• Fish sauce 1/2 tbsp
• Lime juice 1.5 - 2 tbsp

1. To make dressing, combine all ingredients except the tuna together and mix well, set aside

2. Prepare tuna by rinsing out the salt. Put tuna into a hot pan for only few minutes.

3. Take it out and put in a plate. Pour the dressing and mix them softly with tuna

Note: To let the dressing penetrate tuna and taste at the first glimpse, we will put everything in a big bowl (up to your servings) and then stir them together until we see the tuna is soaked with the dressing.

Wow...Yummy!

What your body gets;

• Tuna

  Scientist have found that the main key health benefit in tuna is called omega-3 fatty acid. It can also help other health issues.

  • Help lower the risk of heart disease
  • Help with the pain of arthritis
  • Decrease the complications in asthma
  • Fish is also commonly known as brain food and is a great source of nutrition for young children.
  http://www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/benefit-of-tuna.htm

• Tomato

Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases. http://healthfood-guide.com/tomatohealthbenefits.aspx

• Onion

Onion have an antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some people mixed vinegar with onion juice and apply it in their freckles and warts, it is believed that it can remove/reduce this skin problems. http://hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Onion

• Chilli Pepper

Chilli peppers may have cancer-fighting properties http://alternative-cancer-treatments.suite101.com/article.cfm/health_benefits_of_chillies

• Lime
  

The health benefits of lime include scurvy, digestion, constipation, eye care, piles, peptic ulcer, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, weight loss, skin care, urinary disorders, etc. http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lime.html