I just returned from a trip around Southeast Asia and one of our stops was Patong Beach in Phuket.
My favorite thing? The raw food choices that accompany cooked dishes. Naturally there's fried fish, chicken and assorted animal organs but I opted for soups with noodles and let me tell you they were amazing.
On the side a fresh platter of cucumbers, green onions (eaten by bending back and forth a couple of times and then wrapping the green stalk around the white part into a knot), assorted leaves and herbs like mango leaves, dill and more. Have you ever eated a mango leaf? Who knew eating leaves would taste so good and be so good for you. Among the other raw food selections were the usual shredded cabbage and bean sprouts. A local said to us, "this is our medicine."
It wasn't the only time on our journey we heard this same refrain. Apparently the flower bud from a banana tree is eaten by some daily to ward against illness. And it tastes delicious.
2010 is the year for opting out of junk and opting into fresh local produce when possible.
Bon Appetite!
