kikoman

What I did find in the local market at the tobacco vendor was the slaked lime that is used for chewing beetle nut. 5thb/cup sized bag. Will try the masa project tomorrow and report if I get the shits or worse.

had a good conversation with rice and we talked corn, masa, papayas, snakes and peppers ......all of which he was quite knowledgable and he sent me a photo of the package of pure calcium hydroxide that I will take around to my chem supply house here in CM, but will experiment this weekend with the easily available 'slaked lime' that all public markets have here in LOS.

I have used the cal you have mentioned, you can find it in most Thai markets, I live out in the sticks some 50 kilometers from the nearest Big C in Nakhon Sawan. My Thai wife went to the market in Lat Yao and found it at the 1st place she inquired at.

In the Nixtamalization process you can use wood ash, baking soda or cal, but in using the wood ash and baking soda, you lose that distinct taste that cal gives to the masa.

One needs to wash out all of what ever they used from the Nixtamal before processing it to masa, I wash out the cal in about 4 clean water rinses.

Good Luck, Good Masa making!

I often wonder if foreigners cook their own food at home or just go to restaurants. Yes I know most of you live in the big cities and you can go out for a meal but for some of us we can not do this.( when you live in the sticks) So my question is do you cook your own meal or are you just to lazy to do this?

I do cook every day at home ( Iam not the best cook ok ) But I love to cook all the different foods at home I love to cook italian,chinese,german,mexcican and so on. I heard so many reports cooking for your self in Thailand is expensive ( especially farang food ) but I don't believe that. I guess Thai food is more

expensive the reason I say that is, I buy food which last me 2 weeks I guess the cost is about 1000 baht and I pay about 100 baht of petrol ( gas ) My family goes every day to the market to buy the food they need pay a bit less but if you concider spending petrol every day going to the markets ( who saves?) I know most of you don't agree but my food bill for one week is about 500 baht. And I am a farang and I am proud of it

I do a lot of cooking at home, because one can not find any Digestible Mexican food in Thailand, and I enjoy cooking. If I want something from underground 12 hour Mexican Barbacoa to ,Homemade pickles , pickled pigs feet I find a recipe and make it myself. I make up big batches of food, chili con carne, pinto beans, spaghetti ,menudo etc. and freeze them.

My Thai wife prefers to eat fresh foods purchased daily from the local market, I also love Thai food and eat most anything she makes. So I live in the best of both worlds and I love It!

I had a piece of registered mail sent to me, which the US postal service tracked as being sent to 'international dispatch' on 2 October, but it has not arrived at my apartment. I checked the address used by the sender and it appears to be correct.

Can anyone provide any advice how I might discover where this mail is at within the Thai postal system?

I do not know if this would work in reverse, but when I send a registered letter to the states, it takes 7 days to 1 1/2 months to arrive. I check on my computer under (US Postal Service) I click on the "Track and Confirm" option, if the letter has reached the states. they can track it, if it has not I go to my local post office, make sure you make a copy of your receipt. as they will take the original and send it to Bangkok to see where it is in Thailand. Once I sent a painting to my son and a month later was inform the painting had not arrived, I had the Thai Postal service check on it and it was still in Thailand. My son received it about ten days later.

I hope this info may be helpful to you!

I used Thai Chili, to make Chili rellenos, at the local market . They are long ,light green. We buy all the biggest ones. My Wife makes flour tortillas daily, I taught her how from an old Mexican cookbook. The chili's are toasted on the stove and the outer skin peeled off, then they are cut a line down the side, we do not take the seeds out. we put in a chunk of cheese. dip it in eggs batter and fry them. I eat them wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla. Chili relleno Burritos

When in Rome do as the Romans do!

When in Thailand use what the Thais Have.

I would like to find Avocates for 25 baht a kilo, we use the Haas brand but they are very expensive, so the smooth skins ones will do.

I do not use much Thai beef in my cooking to lean, I use pork. I have an underground pit bar-b-Que and have only cooked pork in it, I leave it under ground for about 12 hours.

Every Thai within miles around came to watch me open it up the 1st time ,I used it. They were saying it would not work! when I opened it up I reached in and pulled out a clean pork bones all the meat just fell off of it. When the rains stop I will open it up, take the water out of the pit, let it dry out a few days and then cook a cows head, or a young goat in it.

Interesting post..............the chili species you mentioned can make relleno but it is certainly not the real thing (but we both know that). I use it in a similar way, roast it.......small slice down side........remove seeds.......dust with flour........stuff with cheese.......dip in egg whites (whipped to hel_l and back)......fry and sometimes dip more egg white on top while frying........cover with good sauce. My Thai wife loves them. I really think this is an opportunity missed by those who own Mexican restaurants in Thailand.

Smoking meat underground? Lots of Polynesians, Melanesians, Micronesians do it.......also I have seen it in the Middle East. It is very hard to teach Thais something new. That technique would make great taco meat...........hint, hint, hint............

JR Texas,

I have tried growing chilis, squash and corn, they grow to about 5 inches high and then die,my brother in the eson, was able to grow squash and corn, he sent me some. That is what I used to make my nixtamal, RE: Menudo and tamales. My wife picked up the cal at the local market, the Thais advised her it should not be used on food products. I have been doing it for all my life. I am need of a better dent corn ,with larger corn and easy to turn into Nixtamal.

I am in the process of building a Horno in my back yard, for bread, empanadas and pizza making. I am the only non Thai living in my village and have nothing to do with my time but surf the internet and watch T.V..

I need to keep active so I do all these little projects. I have made my own Dill pickles (refrigerator ones) they turn out great. used a salt brine with 1 spoon of vinegar. my wife also makes Kim Chee. and she made chile con carne tamales ,using sticky rice instead of masa, they were not to bad. on the 2nd batch ,had to season up the sticky rice.

Thais do not try my foods, they like to eat their own food. my wife and girls eat it and enjoy it. they love my arroz con poLLo.

I will most likely open the underground pit, for New Years. The Thais did like the pit cooked pork.

Not many falangs in my neck of the woods!

Do you know of any goat farms, outside of Nakhon Sawan or a way to find if they Exist. Interested in fresh milk. Possibly starting up a small herd!

I am after some information / guidance.. I am currently staying in Thailand and have been here off and on from the uk for the last 8 years, my recently widowed father who is now 80 and quite fit and healthy for his age is not looking forward to being in the UK on his own, I suggested he come to Thailand for a holiday and if he likes it why not stay, he has never even flown before but he likes the idea, I just have not one clue as to where to take him or where to suggest for him to stay.. any advice greatly appreciated, please remember hes 80 not 65 and I think that makes a big difference, I have asked the question to a close friend for his opinion and his response was how about Darlings on Sukhumvit Rd for a start !!! not quite what I had in mind !!.. Thanks in advance for any help

I used Thai Chili, to make Chili rellenos, at the local market . They are long ,light green. We buy all the biggest ones. My Wife makes flour tortillas daily, I taught her how from an old Mexican cookbook. The chili's are toasted on the stove and the outer skin peeled off, then they are cut a line down the side, we do not take the seeds out. we put in a chunk of cheese. dip it in eggs batter and fry them. I eat them wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla. Chili relleno Burritos

When in Rome do as the Romans do!

When in Thailand use what the Thais Have.

I would like to find Avocates for 25 baht a kilo, we use the Haas brand but they are very expensive, so the smooth skins ones will do.

I do not use much Thai beef in my cooking to lean, I use pork. I have an underground pit bar-b-Que and have only cooked pork in it, I leave it under ground for about 12 hours.

Every Thai within miles around came to watch me open it up the 1st time ,I used it. They were saying it would not work! when I opened it up I reached in and pulled out a clean pork bones all the meat just fell off of it. When the rains stop I will open it up, take the water out of the pit, let it dry out a few days and then cook a cows head, or a young goat in it.

I am very sorry "Jubby" I posted my reply on to your reply, I am just learning how to use this system.

Again my apologies.

Just realised this is in the ladies Forum, so appologies for posting.

My 3 Girls have been in Thailand 2 years now and are fluent in Thai , The English will need a bit of work but its still well above the Thai average.

I'm not convinced all Schools in the UK are better than all Thai Schools. We have a very good school here, not expensive but seems to have high standards. Homework every night, Its a long school day too but the Kids are genuinely happy here and look forward to school. I know they would be bored back in the UK. Lets face it wether Thailand or UK, your girls going to have to face a longer education and more competition for fewer Jobs.

She will still have the safety net of the UK if it all goes pear shape. No one knows what the future will bring, lots of gloom and doom or maybe challenges ahead for sure. Maybe best to live life today.

Same goes for yourself, If your not happy in the UK and I can fully understand why, Make the Move, Lifes too short .

make sure you do have the finances though because your still quite young.

Ask yourself what your going to do with your time also. Time seems to go quicker in Thailand for me, but I have suffered from the lack of Mental stimulation that I was used to back in the UK. I have an Issue with ladies at the moment, Something I never dreamed would be a problem, but something that can creep up on you here. I can't see what all the fuss is about afterall this is thailand. So be warned However strong you think you are ; The Culture can seep into you

I also am male, but I wish to address an issue that has not surfaced, Here they will be a member of the dominate culture in the U.K. ,they will be minorities. I while in the U.S. have suffered as a result of the dominates culture as it views minorities rights, I was sent to Mexican schools and taught only skills for marginal employment. Minorities where not considered to have the capacity to attain higher education and were trained to do Manuel labor, sad to say after all these years such discrimination still exist ,many school district have a very poor minority high school graduation rate, many as high as 70 %.

I lived in Thailand for nine years and am the only Falang in my village, I do not grow disillusioned with the Thai people, its customs and its way of life. I can find more good in Thailand than in the U.S., I do miss my Children but now they have their own lives and families.

It is just another aspect to take into consideration in making your decision to move to the U.K.

or stay in Thailand.

Which ever decision you make, I wish you and your family a bright future.

On behalf of the moderators, admin, and members of ThaiVisa, we wish to welcome all new members to the forum... and hope that you find our forum informative and enjoyable.

This is the Welcome thread for 2552/2009, so post your introduction here.

Looking forward to hearing from our newest members.

Hi, I'm Kikoman From Mexico and the U.S.,

I have lived in the LOS for 9 years, since then two of my brothers also came over. I am learning to make my own Mexican food, Nixtamalization and corn tortilla making. My wife is an accomplished "Thai Mexican Cook"

I have an interest in making butter, Queso Fresco and bread. I live near Lat Yao- 50 kilometers from Nakhon Sawan. looking for a place to purchase cows or goats milk. If any one knows of such a seller let me know.

Thanks

Being from Texas I'd prefer Tex-Mex. Old Mexico must have ten Mexican cuisines. Good luck.

Being from Mexico, I have not found any Mexican food in Thailand That I could eat. I eat Mexican food almost every day, at home fresh home made tortillas, chili Rellenos, Tostadas, Taco's , Enchiladas rolled and Chatas. Posole, Menudo and last week Tamales!

Everybody says I want authentic Mexican food, them go on to say, Do not use a lot of cilantro and to use sour cream. I never ate sour cream on Sonora style food where I grew up. that is used more in the south of Mexico.

we used Queso Fresco and cream cheese in our refried beans. Cilantro is one of the main ingredients in indigenous Mexican food.

Focus on quality of your food, find a few Thai women and teach them how to make tortillas, real homemade tortillas. Most of the beans sold in restaurants are dry and extremely hard to digest.

I wish you luck, what is needed badly here in Thailand is a good Mexican place to eat. Remember focus on the quality of your food.

PS I make my own Nixtamal, the lime is available all over Thailand.

Your title could be construed by some around here in a lewd way... LOL.

But, yes, I have a home-built smoker, where I can cold- or hot-smoke meat.

I make my own bacon, ham, smoked sausages, salami, fish, honey-smoked turkey breast, etc.

I have even made some smoked "lop chong dong gu" (chinese mushroom sausage).

And you're right... smoking your own meat products is so much more tasty - particularly with bacon, which is what I make the most. Its kind of like the difference between Thai "choco-coating" and real chocolate. It's an entirely different league.

But curing the meat is very important so as to avoid botulism - which grows and produces toxins rapidly in an anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) environment, like in a smoker.

What do you use to cure your meat for smoking? Also I live in a village outside of Lat Yao , about 50 kilometers from Nakhon Sawan. I am looking for someone that sells small portions of fresh milk "either cow or goat milk" I want to start making my own butter and Mexican Queso Fresco and other cheese products. Starting small but depending on my success ,I can increase my purchases in the future.

If any one knows where it is sold, please let me know! Nakhon Sawan ,Lat Yao to Sawan Arom area.

Thanks

Your title could be construed by some around here in a lewd way... LOL.

But, yes, I have a home-built smoker, where I can cold- or hot-smoke meat.

I make my own bacon, ham, smoked sausages, salami, fish, honey-smoked turkey breast, etc.

I have even made some smoked "lop chong dong gu" (chinese mushroom sausage).

And you're right... smoking your own meat products is so much more tasty - particularly with bacon, which is what I make the most. Its kind of like the difference between Thai "choco-coating" and real chocolate. It's an entirely different league.

But curing the meat is very important so as to avoid botulism - which grows and produces toxins rapidly in an anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) environment, like in a smoker.

Hi Arran

Your question would take a book to reply to in terms of its scope. I farm 200 rai and have done so for many years here in Nakhon Sawan. I'm Scottish, BTW. I'd be happy to answer any and all your questions over a couple of beers at my home/farm. I'll PM the details if you wish to visit.

Cheers

Khonwan

Khonwan in your many years do you know of anyone selling cow or goats milk in the Nakhon Sawan, Lat Yao

or Sawang Arom area..

Thanks for any info, Kikoman

Can anyone tell me do thai - farang relationships really work over the long run ?

How many of use either have or know of someone who has come to thailand for a couple of week hoilday and ended up marring a thai girl ? how can people really get married after only knowing eachother for 2 weeks or even 2 months ?

also when you get married there is the whole different culture thing, i am from the UK and i no back in the UK when a couples gets married it is normal for the girls family to pay for the wedding. also both sets of familys also will normally give wedding gifts to the marrying couple. But when a farang comes to thailand it is very different. No wedding gifts forget that you have to pay for all the wedding and on top of that you have to pay money ( sometimes alot ) to your new wifes family ! Are any farangs really happy about this ? I know if i had a daughter and she was getting married and her new husbend offered me money i would say without having to think keep it for there future. Does anyone agree with me ? I have heard of farang who make little money in there own country giving alot of money to thai familys when getting married and on top of that still sending money to the family every month, are some farang guys really that desprate to get married to a thai lady ?

Also see so many thai - farang couples in resturants or where ever. They can be sat there for about 1 hour and not say a word to eachother ! because they cant talk the same language. How can these people be in love when they never talk to eachother ?

please let me no what you think about this and wehats happened to you in these situations.

Most Farangs fall in love with the 1st Thai Woman they meet, One must get to knowThai customs before getting married, Thai men also pay for the brides family, usally 100,000,baht. The family and friends along with the newlyweds, usally help with the wedding, the guest give money to the couple at the reception.

A Thai girl does not grow up thinking ,I want to marry an old man half my age. Most have been married and have children to support, both a bar girl and non-bar girls. Most are looking for financial security for their children. One must look long and hard at a women before making a commitment to the women. I am married to a women 32 years younger them me we live in a rural Thai village, with her two teenage children, I get along quite well with her family and I did not pay ,the family for my wife. My wife has come a long way in speaking English and our oldest girl is a University student with an English major.We have built a house and purchased land that belongs to my wife. She has a ex husband (Thai) that continues to support his daughters, the mother has given use 22 rai of land ,that is growing rice. My Thai friends and family are the best in the world. I do not know what the future holds for us ,We have been together 4 1/2 years and married for 2 1/2 years. I am happy and hopes she is too. my life now sure beats being in a old folks home back in the old country.

Can anyone tell me do thai - farang relationships really work over the long run ?

How many of use either have or know of someone who has come to thailand for a couple of week hoilday and ended up marring a thai girl ? how can people really get married after only knowing eachother for 2 weeks or even 2 months ?

also when you get married there is the whole different culture thing, i am from the UK and i no back in the UK when a couples gets married it is normal for the girls family to pay for the wedding. also both sets of familys also will normally give wedding gifts to the marrying couple. But when a farang comes to thailand it is very different. No wedding gifts forget that you have to pay for all the wedding and on top of that you have to pay money ( sometimes alot ) to your new wifes family ! Are any farangs really happy about this ? I know if i had a daughter and she was getting married and her new husbend offered me money i would say without having to think keep it for there future. Does anyone agree with me ? I have heard of farang who make little money in there own country giving alot of money to thai familys when getting married and on top of that still sending money to the family every month, are some farang guys really that desprate to get married to a thai lady ?

Also see so many thai - farang couples in resturants or where ever. They can be sat there for about 1 hour and not say a word to eachother ! because they cant talk the same language. How can these people be in love when they never talk to eachother ?

please let me no what you think about this and wehats happened to you in these situations.

Hello my name is Kikoman, from old Mexico, It was interesting to see some of you-all are into masa making, I ate menudo for lunch, and tamale's for dinner yesterday. I made my second batch of Nixtamal a few days ago. I used Cal (shaked lime) with 3 cups of corn ( Given to me by my brother, who grew it in the north.) I boiled the corn for an hour, had to add some fresh hot water in the process. let it sit in the water over night. The field corn he grew was like sticky rice corn, it was extremely hard to get the covering off the corn. I need to look up a different type of corn when my brothers is used up.

You can use woodash, baking soda, and cal in the Nixtamalzation process, but using anything other than cal ,will not give the masa its unique flavor derived from cal!

The menudo was great, got the diamond cow tripe at the local market we had ordered it in advance, The tamales were different than the red chile ones, my wife roasted some long light green chiles she buys at the local market. peeled them, I spread the masa on the banana leaves from out yard, we placed ample amounts of chiles on the masa with a chunk of cheese and wrapped them up , stream them for an hour and they were great. I also made Enchiladas Chatas , prepared the masa and rolled them about the size of masa for a corn tortilla, place it between two clean cloths and pressed them with a dinner plate.

then fried it ,dipped it in homemade red chile sauce, topped with green onions, cilantro, shedded cheese and Thai lettuce.

My wife has learn to make all types of Mexican food, homemade flour tortillas, tostadas, taco's , posole, chili rellenos ,menudo etc,

Now I am looking for someone ,ican buy fresh milk off of and will go into butter and making Queso Fresco and other homemade cheeses.

If anyone knows of a place where fresh milk is sold, let me know. I live in a villiage outside of Lat Yao, about 50 kilometers from Nakhon Sawan.

Also let your wife or girlfriend ask at the local market for cal, I used a meat grinder to grind my second batch of corn, my wife used an old style Thai stone rice grinder than turned out perfect masa, she use corn I brought from Mexico. But that grinder could not grind the corn my bother grew.