Roasted Mushroom and Mackerel Dip ซุปเห็ด.

Roasted Mushroom and Mackerel Dip.

Continuing with Northeastern Thai food, Northeastern Thailand or Esarn is the least explored region of Thailand, only hard-core tourists seem to venture there. This region offers a slower pace of life and the people are friendly and smiley. Esarn food has more in common with our neighbour, Laos, than Thailand's central region (where Bangkok is). This is because Esarn and Laos were once part of the Kingdom of Lan Xang. In the 18th century Thailand (then known as Siam) occupied a large part of Laos, which consisted of the Kingdoms of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Lan Xang. In 1893 Siam surrendered all territories east of the Mekong River to France, hence formally separating the Lan Xang people. The people of Lan Xang, east of the Mekong became Lao under the French. The Lan Xang people on the west of the river became Siamese. Esarn people still speak Lao to each other but will have to use the Thai language for all legal and official purposes. Lao is not taught in Esarn schools but we all speak and understand it.

Equipment:

2 large oven trays lined with foil.

On the 1st tray, put in

-3 sliced shallots,

-4 cloves crushed garlic,

-6-8 fresh red chillies,

-a small bunch coriander,

-300g sliced mushrooms,

-5 anchovy fillets,

-1tsp salt.

On the 2nd tray, place

-300g smoked mackerel.

Bake in 200c fan forced for 25 minutes.

In a frying pan, dry roast

-2tbsp of rice until golden brown. Finely grind using a pestle and mortar. Leave aside.

Once cooked and cooled enough to handle.

In a pestle and mortar, pound 

-chillies, with 

-garlic,

-shallots,

-coriander,

-anchovy.

Pound well to combine, add

-mackerel fillets.

Pound to combine, add

-mushrooms.

Continue to pound until the ingredients are combined.

Add,

-1 finely sliced spring onion, 

-1tbsp chopped fresh coriander, 

-roasted rice,

-1tsp chilli flakes, add

-1/2 cup hot chicken stock.

Mix well to combine.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. You may need fish sauce.

This dish is normally served with grilled chicken or fish, plenty of fresh vegetables and sticky rice.