I’m always getting great ideas from the grocery deli. I don’t necessarily buy, but def use them for inspiration. For me that’s almost better because not only can I usually make something similar at home, like this Spicy Thai Noodle Salad cheaper, I can customize to my taste and any dietary needs, too.

Quick Vietnamese Pickled Carrots
The other day I made the most marvelous (if I do say so myself, and I do, I do) Bahn Mi Street Tacos. If you haven’t seen that post, take a peek! One of the defining elements in that recipe is these Quick Vietnamese Pickled Carrots, a little sweet with tangy undertones from the vinegar, and they’re a little addictive!

Crying Tiger Sauce
The other day I posted a recipe for Waterfall Pork. It was outstanding on its own but one of the things that really took it next level is this simple little dipping sauce, Crying Tiger Sauce (Namchim Chaeo.) It’s fiery hot but tempered by a little sweet and it’s def a brew of flavors.

Thai Chicken Wings
Now I’m not normally a huge chicken wing fan. I’ll usually have a token one or two, but this is THE recipe that changed my mind. That being said, Thai Chicken Wings are not your typical chicken wings. And I can’t wait to get home to Minnesota and try this out on my son, Kraig. Now there’s someone who can really put down a few (dozen) wings! (Update: I did get a chance and he loooooved them!)

Thai Cashew Chicken
This is one of my fave dishes that leans toward the Asian side, and it’s basically a Thai Cashew Chicken. The proper name, I understand is gai pad med mamuang tho admittedly, I didn’t know that until recently. Actually, until recently, even tho I’ve been making this for decades, I didn’t even realize it was heavily Thai inspired. Live and learn, amirite!