Taste of Cambodia

​All of us have to adjust to the new (and hopefully only temporary) reality of staying at home or working from home in times of COVID19.  Since there are more than enough blogs, articles, books and videos to show you how to manage this challenging time, we are going to 'spice it up' and add some 'flavours' to your home time (literally)!  It is time to work on your cooking skills and try some amazing Cambodian dishes!

Here are our pick of the 3 amazing and authentic recipes for Cambodian dishes.  Give it a try. You will not be disappointed!  (Don't forget to click on the images for the recipes)

​​Yum Bai (Khmer style of Bon Appetite)!  

Cambodian Pepper Beef (Lok Lak) - Marion's Kitchen

​Beef Lok Lak

Cambodian dishes make use of the wonderful fresh produce local has to offer. This ranges from the usual South East Asian crops such as rice, mangoes and coconuts to something you might not have guessed straight away … pepper!  A a recent BBC travel story ‘awarded’ the pepper from Cambodia, more specifically from Kampot, the title of the World’s Most Prized Pepper! 

One of our favourite dishes in Cambodia that uses the beautiful Kampot Pepper is Beef Lok Lak - favourite of many of our volunteers.  The dish is essence a simple stir fry but the real kicker is the amazing dipping sauce for the stir fried beef. All it takes is some freshly ground Kampot Pepper, fresh lime juice, a bit of water, salt and if you like some minced garlic as well. Heaven!

When you have ingredients such as this then the best thing to do is not to dilute it or to allow the flavours to get lost in a complex dish. Less is definitely more!

Banh Chao (Crispy Pancake)

Banh Chao looks quite simple but it actually takes a bit of practice to make that super thin 'pancake' with it's savoury filling.

​It's again a simple dish as in using good, local and single ingredients that come together beautifully.

This dish is a fusion of the traditional French Crepes but with a yummy Khmer twist.

Try making the pancake! It's great fun and it took us a couple tries before perfecting it. Definitely worth the experience and taste though.

Crispy pancake (Banh Chao) - Cambo Kitchen

Fish Amok ​with Fragrant Steamed Rice - Peg Kern

​Fish Amok

Said to be Cambodia's most famous dish! Fish Amok curry has a beautiful texture that carries the flavours of lemongrass and kafir lime (add chilli if you must) and complements the flaky white fish.

The beauty of curries is of course that the recipe can easily be amended to suit individual preferences when it comes to flavours, herbs and spice levels.

This is a staple dish found all over Cambodia. Try and create your own version today!