Sunday, March 23, 2008

Thai Son-in-law Eggs


My beautiful Bride made these for me, they're normally served with hot steamed rice as a meal, rather than as an appetizer (as I would have thought). These are best served hot, right after making them, though I have enjoyed them (they taste great) warmed up for lunch the next day. This is a pretty authentic Thai recipe. The challenge of this recipe, to make them taste good, is to make the hard-boiled eggs crispy, a technique that requires practice, and is unusual to Western cookery, frying hard-boiled eggs. We don't know the story behind why these are called son-in-law eggs, that would be interesting to find out.

Thai Son-in-law Eggs
4 eggs
oil for frying
1 Tbsp sugar
tamarind water
4 shallots
1 coriander root
1 Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp soya sauce
coriander leaves, sliced, for garnish

Hard-boil the 4 eggs. Make the tamarind water by combining 1 tsp tamarind paste with 4 tablespoons of water. Pan-fry the hard-boiled eggs, until outside is crispy. Take out and set aside to cool. Slice the shallots thinly. Fry on low heat until crispy; take out, leaving oil in pan. Grind coriander root in mortar; fry in oil until fragrant. Add the tamarind juice, sugar, fish sauce and soya sauce; mix well and fry for a minute or two, to make a sauce. Slice the hard-boiled eggs in half when cool; place on plate. Add the crispy shallots on top of the hard-boiled eggs. Pour the tamarind sauce over the eggs. Garnish with coriander leaves.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Traditionally, Khai look koei is made from quail eggs and are euphemism for male testicles.

The story is that a man, who is treating his wife very poorly goes to visit his mother in law. Mother in law serves this dish to him as a reminder that his ill behaviour has been noted and that, if he isn't careful, his "eggs" would be served up on the plate. Hee hee!

They ARE delicous though.

I've also heard that these eggs were supposed to be served to the bride's parents after the man asks their permission & blessing to marry their daughter. I think, for the same reason: I get your daugther, you get my "eggs".

Mike said...

Now, that is, er, interesting! Really!

Thanks for the info. 8-)