| Thai New Year, or Songkran, takes place between | | | | 3. Add the onion, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and basil |
| 13-15 April this year and is often referred to as the | | | | leaves (if using) to the pan and continue to stir fry until |
| water festival, as it traditionally celebrates the end of | | | | the beef is cooked through. |
| the dry season. During Songkran, it is customary to | | | | 4. Arrange on top of the lettuce leaves and top with |
| celebrate with loved ones by throwing water on them | | | | chopped peanuts. |
| - it is believed the water washes away evil and | | | | Thai chicken fried rice |
| misfortune. | | | | Forget egg fried rice, this delicious recipe is packed |
| Another tradition is to show generosity and this usually | | | | with a wonderful array of flavours and textures |
| takes the form of a Thai banquet. So invite your | | | | Serves 2-3 |
| friends and family around and tempt them with these | | | | Ready in 20 minutes |
| mouthwatering Thai recipes. | | | | 2tbsp vegetable oil |
| Thai beef salad | | | | 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped |
| Salad will never be the same again! Get your taste | | | | 2 bird's eye chillies, finely chopped |
| buds tingling with this authentic meaty treat | | | | 100g chicken, finely chopped or minced |
| Serves 2-3 | | | | 1tbsp Fish Sauce |
| Ready in 20 minutes | | | | ¼tsp granulated sugar |
| 2tbsp oil | | | | 1tbsp Light Soy Sauce |
| 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped | | | | Handful basil leaves (optional) |
| 2 bird's eye chillies, deseeded and finely sliced | | | | 225g cooked rice |
| 200g lean minced beef | | | | 1 small onion, finely sliced |
| 1 red onion, sliced | | | | ½ red or yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into thin |
| 2tbsp Fish Sauce | | | | slices |
| 1tbsp Light Soy Sauce | | | | |
| 1tsp sugar | | | | 1. In a wok or frying pan, heat the oil until hot. Add the |
| Handful basil leaves or coriander leaves (optional) | | | | garlic, chillies and chicken, and cook until the chicken |
| Mixed lettuce leaves, to serve | | | | changes colour. |
| Handful chopped peanuts, to garnish | | | | 2. Add the fish sauce, sugar and soy sauce and stir |
| | | | fry over a high heat until the chicken is cooked through. |
| 1. In a wok or frying pan, heat the oil and fry the garlic | | | | 3. Toss in the basil leaves (if using), followed by the |
| and chillies, stirring well, until the garlic begins to brown. | | | | cooked rice and mix gently together. |
| 2. Add the minced beef and stir fry over a high heat, | | | | 4. Add the onion and sweet pepper and stir quickly to |
| breaking apart the meat and mixing in the garlic and | | | | mix. Serve immediately. |
| chilli. | | | | |