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“Secrets of the chef” is the space where I share secrets of preparing, cooking and presenting Asian food. I learned many secrets from my mother and my aunt in Thailand where I grew up. I was their apprentice during my childhood years helping them prepare meals in my aunt’s restaurant. I learned by buying, preparing and tasting many of the menu dishes they prepared everyday. Let me tell you a little bit about my experiences.
When I was child I lived with my aunt and her 13 children. In the early morning ,which started at 5 am we went to the ‘free market’, which is also called “Morning market” , the place where many brought things they wanted to sell such as homegrown foods, fruits and vegetables from their farms. Vendor space was very cheap and there were always large crowds. The Morning Market was always fun and exciting. Even though the people were very poor, they were friendly and hospitable. I loved the free market gatherings. After it closed, my aunt and I went back home and started preparing the food she would sell that day at the restaurant.

Every morning before going school, I was to cook some small food dish for giving money because as Buddhist’s we believe doing this will bring blessings. After school I went back home, set up the kitchen equipment and placed all the utensils in place so it was easy for my aunt to begin prepare her meal menu. I also made sure that all the ingredients she needed for each recipe were in the refrigerator and ready to use for the day. After I finished all those chores, I went to school.

Another one of my responsibilities was to help her write the recipes she would be cooking for the next day. She said I had good handwriting that was easy to read. I thought that was just an excuse for her not to do it. Some time I got pay for my work from my aunt. That was the part I liked most. I could have extra money for my lunch box and my school bus. Life was not easy but I enjoyed it.

As I grew up I had more responsibility given to me. This is how I became her ‘apprentice’ in the real preparation of the food because I had to help her prepare all the ingredients the night before. I carefully checked them all trying to not miss anything, but there were always some things I overlooked because I did not have enough time in the morning to do everything she wanted me to do. I would run my rounds in the morningg market buying the foods she needed and get them back to her. After that I got dressed for school. My last responsibility was to taste all the foods she had prepared for the day, before I went to school. I did this until I finished the 12th grade.
Here is my aunt’s most favorite recipes. If you like them and want more please visit my ehow articles