On The Road Again ~ Thai on Hilton Head

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I need to have a Thai food fix more often than not!  Although my favorite food on the planet is Italian, Thai cuisine is to me the next most beloved food genre!  Having been to Thailand twice for extended periods of time, I have to admit that I’m really, really particular when it comes to finding excellent Thai food outside of Thailand.  I want the real deal now, and nothing less than that.  This quest has not been easy, because most Thai restaurants in this country are just ‘so-so’ . . . passable . . . and nothing to jump up and down over!  The real deal still lies in The Land of Smiles.  Only a handful of Thai restaurants in the U.S. have earned the stamp of authenticity by the country of Thailand as well.  I’ve never been in any one of those eateries but hope to be able to do so someday!

In the meantime, while on the island of Hilton Head for our “May escape/retreat”, we decided to check out a very highly rated Thai restaurant, “Ruan Thai Cuisine”.  We were not let down.  Everything was excellent, although not hot in ‘heat’ at all despite asking for “hot, but not Thai hot”.  Some Thai restaurants in this country are overly mild on the heat due to our preferences here in the States.  However, if you want the real deal, folks, ya gotta go for the gusto and have some fire hot Thai food where your lips burn after every bite!  OK, I know most Americans won’t do that, but even what is called “Thai Hot” in the States is as mild as butter compared to the real stuff that is served in Thailand.  What is considered ‘mild’ in Thailand is ‘super Thai hot’ here!

This is a dish that really excites your taste buds, evoking many of Thailand’s signature flavors that are light and fragrant!  For a side dish, we are always served Thai rice which pairs perfectly with fish.  For this recipe, I’ve added a lovely fragrant Thai-style paste to enhance the rice to a higher flavor level.

Thai Mango Sea Bass with Steamed Rice

4 (6 – 8 oz.) sea bass fillets, skin scored
a handful of snap peas
2 bunches green onions, long green stems leaves discarded, trimmed and finely sliced
1 – 2 fresh red chilies, de-seeded and finely sliced
lemon juice
Cilantro (stems and leaves)
1 – 2 limes, quartered
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Thai Paste Flavored Rice:
2 large bunches of fresh coriander, leaves picked and stalks reserved
2 thumb-sized pieces of fresh ginger, peeled
3 cloves of garlic, peeled
2 fresh red chilies, halved and deseeded, and stemmed
2 teaspoons sesame oil
6 tablespoons soy sauce
juice and zest of 2 limes
1 can of coconut milk
14 oz. Basmati rice (or more if desired)

In a food processor blend the following:  cilantro stalks and half of the cilantro leaves, ginger, garlic, halved chilies, sesame oil, soy sauce, lime juice and zest and the coconut milk.
Cook rice in salted, boiling water until it’s just undercooked.
Drain in colander.
Place a piece of aluminum foil on top and sides of a high-sided roasting pan.
Brush/spray some olive oil on foil.
Spread rice out onto the pan.
Pour the Thai paste over rice, mix in well, then spread the rice out flat in the pan.

For the Mango Salsa:
Prepare this in advance and let sit in the fridge for 1 – 2 hours.
4 large mangoes (Thai mangoes are best – the smaller yellow ones but the other big mangoes will work too as long as they’re ripe)

1/4 red onion, chopped into small pieces.

Cilantro leaves