Healthy Thai dishes to make at home

Last week, I was talking about how Thai food is not just about incredible flavors, taste, and colors, but also therapeutic. Extending from that idea, let’s look at some Thai dishes that can be healthful and very flavorful.

Not all healthy food needs to be bland on your taste buds. And Thai cuisine is the best example of that. If there’s a lovely layer of flavors from the traditional spices and herbs, there’s a lot of nutrition from the vegetables, seafood, meat, legumes, and more that make the base of the dish. The best thing that I like about Thai dishes is that they use a lot of locally sourced, fresh ingredients and not so much of processed or packaged ones.

Another reasons why I believe (among many others) Thai food to be a healthy option is the combination of herbs and spices that go into each dish. Things like galangal, garlic, kaffir lime, ginger, basil, lemongrass, etc. carry a host of medicinal values. Most importantly, more than most Thai dishes are wholesome in themselves. That is to say, they are a perfect balance of essential nutrients that we need in a complete meal. Take a rice or noodle bowl for instance. You got your carbs from the rice/noodle (preferably rice noodles or whole wheat noodles), the vegetables and herbs are rich in vitamins and essential minerals, and the meat provides all the protein you need in your meal. What’s more? You can get the same benefits even with the vegetarian and vegan options. Replace meat and dairy with bean sprouts, tofu, mushrooms, lentils and legumes like chickpeas, red or black beans, and nuts, and you still got a delicious plate, full of health.

These recipes are so simple and easy to make at home, that you can quickly fix yourself a plate (or bowl). Made with simple ingredients, these Thai dishes could be that comforting food you need when you are feeling a little under the weather or if you want to switch to a healthy food habit. So, here you go!

Easy Thai dishes you can make –

Papaya Salad

Raw papaya works great for those days when your stomach feels a little iffy. The traditional recipe for this classic Thai dish calls for fish sauce and peanuts. Skip those if you want it to be vegan or if you have nut allergies.

There are a variety of papaya salad recipes. From elevated versions like this Bon Appetit recipe to the New York Times recipe, these suggested dishes offer a home cook a starting point to enjoy the flavor combinations. From there, many people have learned to adapt and create their own recipe versions.

Tom Yum Soup

Going by personal experiences, I have discovered that Tom Yum soup is a miracle medicine when you have a bad cold or flu and all you want is a bowl of warmth. The properties of ginger, lemongrass, basil, and garlic come together for a dose of antioxidants and antiseptics. You can make Tom Yum soup with a mix of veggies, or just chicken or shrimp.

Tasty as well as AllRecipes have recipes that a home cook can master. While some ingredients might need a little planning, this soup could become a new tradition. The bold flavors might be a new comfort food that the whole family will come to enjoy.

What are your favorite Thai dishes? Would you like to learn more about simple and easy Thai recipes you can make at home?