I just wrapped up a 3-night trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia and I really can’t say enough great things about this trip! Angkor Wat and surrounding temples were spectacular, inspiring, and spiritual. Cambodian culture is beautiful, friendly, and bright despite its tormented past. And I had a blast traveling around solo, noshing on spring rolls and Tiger beer and taking in the culture.
As part of my trip, I took a casual cooking course at Le Tigre de Papier. We were a small group of 4: a couple from Ireland making their move to Australia, a traveling photographer from Ukraine who just came for pictures, and myself. I chose to cook Spicy Shrimp Salad and Amok Seafood, and after a quick trip to the market to see fresh food in all its glory, we peeled off the plastic wrapped cutting boards and got to work!
First off, I want to credit the photos of Mila Supinskaya, a cheerful professional photographer who arrived with the Irish couple (Allison and Darragh) for the cooking class. Having just met at their hotel, Mila was enthusiastic to capture photos of Cambodian culture, tourism, and fun experiences, so she came along as a spectator and fun addition to our small group. She and her husband have just moved from Bali where she worked as a wedding photographer and he worked in 3D imaging for gaming for two years. They are on a journey to find a new home in SE Asia, but Siem Reap didn’t make the cut. Chiang Mai is next on their list, so if you just so happen to be getting married in Chiang Mai, look her up! Mila and I met for ice cream the following day and she was gracious enough to pass on her beautifully captured photos and allow me to post them as I wish.
I was not familiar with Cambodian food before this trip, or exactly what made it unique from typical Thai or Vietnamese food. Cambodian flavours include lots of lemongrass, garlic, coconut milk, palm sugar, and chili. There is definitely an theme of sweet-and-sour profiles and simple ingredients. The following photos depict the ingredients for the Spicy Shrimp Salad and Amok Seafood curry. These photos are my own, considerably more amateur, silly, and less knowledge about lighting.
Needless to say, the food along my entire Siem Reap trip was phenomenal! I ended up taking home some spices and a cook book and hope to recreate some meals this summer.
Voyidges 