GVI
Posted: February 24, 2023
Learning to cook authentic Cambodian cuisine is an exciting and flavourful journey that can open up your culinary world to a range of traditional dishes, ingredients, spices and flavours. This guide will give you the tips and techniques you need to explore the exciting world of Cambodian cuisine and bring a little bit of this beautiful culture into your own kitchen.
Cambodian cuisine is unique and full of flavour, from the special ingredients used to the different cooking techniques. To get an understanding of the ingredients used in Cambodian cooking, it’s best to familiarise yourself with the local markets. Shopping in the markets will help you become more familiar with the different ingredients and how to use them in your cooking. Commonly used ingredients include fish sauce, shrimp paste, garlic, chilies, lemongrass, tamarind concentrate, coconut milk, shallots and ginger. Many of these ingredients can be found at any Asian grocery store or online.
Once you have familiarised yourself with the ingredients, it’s important to understand the traditional techniques used in Cambodian cuisine. Simmering is a popular method as it helps bring out the flavours of the ingredients. Another technique is “blanching” where the ingredients are cooked until they are just slightly soft. Stir-frying is used when cooking meats or vegetables, and is made more delicious when served with freshly cooked rice. Lastly, grinding is used to make a paste out of the ingredients. All of these techniques will help you create complex flavours while learning to cook Cambodian meals.
In addition to the traditional techniques, Cambodian cuisine also utilises a variety of spices and herbs to add flavour to dishes. Popular spices include turmeric, cumin, cardamom and coriander. Herbs such as basil, mint, and lemongrass are also used to add a unique flavour to dishes. By combining these spices and herbs with the traditional techniques, you can create delicious and flavourful Cambodian dishes.
Generally speaking, Cambodian cuisine consists of lightly prepared dishes with a strong emphasis on fresh herbs and spices. Typical dishes found on restaurant menus include amok (a steamed curried coconut milk dish) and noodle soups such as kuy teav (a rice noodle soup). Sop-sai (a dry rice soup with eggs, pork and vegetables) and lok lak (a beef stir-fry dish) are also popular dishes that feature the unique flavours of Cambodian cuisine. You can also find seafood dishes such as prahok ktiss (fermented fish), which is usually served with vegetables.
For a taste of authentic Cambodian flavours, traditional dishes such as amok should not be missed. Amok is a dish made with curry paste, coconut milk and fish. The curry paste is typically made with fresh lemongrass, kaffir leaves, galangal and chilies. To cook amok, the curry paste should be simmered until fragrant before adding the fish, coconut milk and other seasonal vegetables. Then, simmer for around 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Other popular dishes include beef lok lak (a stir-fry of beef cubes marinated in lime juice and soy sauce), noodle soups, and prahok ktiss (fermented fish sauce).
Cooking authentic Cambodian meals can be surprisingly easy once you’ve got the hang of it. Here are some tips to help you out:
Cambodian cuisine is known for its intense flavour and complex dishes. Utilising the spices that are readily available in Cambodia can help you elevate your cooking with exquisite flavour. Common spices used in Cambodian dishes include lemongrass, galangal, coriander seeds, white pepper and palm sugar. Spices can be blended together to make a paste or powder that will create intense flavours in any dish.
The four distinct categories of Cambodian cuisine are Khmer (traditional Cambodian), Chinese-Khmer or Champhureak (a mix of Chinese and Khmer dishes), Western-influenced and seafood. Khmer is the most popular type of cuisine in Cambodia due its balance of complexity using local herbs, spices and ingredients such as coconut milk, lemongrass and fish sauce. Chinese-Khmer combines traditional Chinese dishes with unique Cambodian flavouring and contrasting sweet and sour tones. Western-influence cuisines offer more international flavours such as pizza and pasta while seafood features an array of fresh catches prepared with local herbs and spices.
Planning a meal ahead of time is key when cooking authentic Cambodian cuisine. It’s important to have all your ingredients prepped before beginning to cook as some dishes require multiple stages that need attention. It’s always best to prepare as much as you can ahead of time which means having all of your sauces, herbs and spices measured out and ready to go. It’s also helpful to cook in batches as this allows you to quickly cook several dishes that can be easily served together.
Learning about regional cuisine can help you better understand the culture and people of Cambodia. Incorporating regional dishes into your own cooking offers unique flavour profiles and exciting dishes that you may not have experienced before. This could create a new family favorite or simply add something special to your weekly meal planning routine.
When it comes to trying authentic Cambodian food, there are many restaurants and markets to choose from across the country. Small local restaurants that offer home-cooked meals and street food stalls are a great way to start your culinary journey. Visiting traditional markets is also a great way to explore local flavours while gaining an understanding of popular Cambodian ingredients.
Volunteering with GVI in Cambodia is an awesome way to make a positive impact while also experiencing the country’s incredible culture and cuisine! By joining a GVI volunteer or internship program, you get to contribute to sustainable locally-led projects with a focus on teaching English, women’s empowerment and gender equality. If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure that lets you give back and experience the best of Cambodia, volunteering with GVI is the way to go!
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Petrina Darrah
Posted: May 21, 2023
