Monday, 6 April 2026

Thai Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niaow Ma Muang)

ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง -  Mango Sticky Rice


What you need:

  • Thai white glutinous rice. 1 Cup.
  • Coconut milk. 1 half sized tin (270 ml)
  • Salt.
  • Sugar.
  • Cornflour.
  • Pandan leaf.
  • Mango

Wash the rice, rinse white glutinous rice by placing it in a mixing bowl and cover with cold water, then vigorously swish the rice with your hand to release loose starch. Pour off the cloudy water and repeat the process 4 more times or until the water runs mostly clear.


Soak the rice, with room temp water for at least 4 hours and or overnight.


Salted coconut sauce.
1/4 teaspoon rice flour, 1 Tablespoon water, combine the rice flour slurry, add to 1/4 of the coconut milk, and pinch of salt and cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Let cool.


Steam the rice, Preheat a steamer by bringing it to a full boil over high heat and drain the rice well. Line a steamer with cheese cloth or a thin tea towel and place the rice on the cloth. Fold the edges of the cloth over the rice. Cover the steamer with a lid. Steam the rice for 20-25 minutes over rapidly boiling water.


Coconut syrup.

Combine the 3/4’s of coconut milk, a tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small pot. If you have a pandan leaf, tie it into a knot and throw it in. Cook it over medium heat, and as soon as it starts to boil, turn off the heat and cover. You will need to reheat this once the rice is ready. When the rice is done, reheat the syrup so it is steaming hot then keep covered. Place the rice into a mixing bowl and pour the syrup over the rice. Stir to break up any lumps, then cover with a lid, a plate, or aluminium foil and let sit for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, use a rubber spatula to fold the bottom part of the rice up to the top to help redistribute the syrup, and let sit for at least another 20 minutes or until ready to serve.


Spoon in some sticky rice, top with slices of mango and drizzle on some coconut sauce. Garnish with toasted white or black sesame seeds.



Friday, 3 April 2026

Little Buddha's in the Garden

Click on image for larger view.

Click on image for larger view.


Saturday, 28 March 2026

Back Home in Bendagolia

Outside the Man Shed Bendigo

Recreation of Som Tum at home (Green Papaya Salad)


Sticky Rice fried Rice Cakes.



Monday, 16 March 2026

Thailand 2026

Post my 70th birthday I went to Thailand (a gift from my wife and daughter) to visit my old friend Rick Gamble. He runs a successful surf shop and business and I was a grateful guest of his hospitality.

Saltwater Dreaming Surin Beach Phuket.
108/3 Srisoonthorn Rd, Choengtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand.

Mango the shop manager cat.

Mango hard at work. He copies Rick.

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad), Laarb (pork meat salad) and bbq chicken.

Small restaurant across the road from my accommodation.

Beach market Surin Beach.

Surin beach sunset.

Laab, chicken and other salads.

Wat Chalong (Buddhist Temple)

Saweede Kup

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong

My Temple fortune. Basically I was going to have bad luck but bad luck has run out so I get good luck. :-)

The  Hah Chet Phet Sak Yant tattoo

Symbolises an impenetrable spiritual armour that is believed to provide the wearer with protection from physical harm, danger and negative energy. 

It also represents and bears Kindness, Compassion and Good Fortune to the wearer.


Five Lines Sak Yant Tattoo

1. The first row prevents unjust punishment and leans in your favour when the area is grey, cleans out unwanted spirits and protects the place you live in.

2. The second row reverses and protects against bad horoscope constellations and bad fortune.

3. The third row protects you from black magic and anyone who tries to put a curse on you.

4. The fourth row energises your good luck, success and fortune in your future and life style.

5.The fifth row is to gain charisma and attraction to the opposite sex. It is also is a boost to the fourth row.


Breakfast of champions. 95 Baht ($4)

Night market.

Surin Beach.

Smokes 75 Baht a pack ($3.30)
Not mine and you can't bring more than 1 pack home.

More Som Tum and Laarb with Rick.

Sunday, 1 March 2026

More Sourdough Bread


Poppy Seed Loaf from last week.

Cheddar Cheese and my Garden's Green Chilli's.

Yum

Double Yum.