Foodiva's Kitchen: Spicy Thai Inspired Millet

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Spicy Thai Inspired Millet


I was recently gifted a copy of An Epiphany of the Senses, a beautifully-compiled cookbook by my friend and fellow blogger, Nancy of Spicie Foodie. Inside, it contains delicious recipes that are a mix of her heritage (Mexican), her country of residence (Czech Republic) and strangely enough, Asian. I can only assume that her interest in Asian culinary influences stems from the fact that food from this region uses a cornucopia of spices for flavoring. Of course, I may be wrong so if you're reading this, Nancy, please feel free to correct me.

Nancy's book in hard and soft copies

Ginger, turmeric, red curry

Opening the book for me is like being suddenly transported into Aladdin's cave - you just want to cook and eat everything featured in it! Each dish was prepared, styled and photographed by Nancy herself and everything looks gorgeous and utterly tempting. The book is also available in PDF or electronic version so I am able to access the book via my iPad (which is often in the kitchen whenever I'm there). It's the coolest thing next to a Spicie Foodie App, but that's probably in the works as we speak, hey Nancy?  :-).

The first dish out of the book to become a reality in my kitchen is Spicy Thai Inspired Millet. Why did I choose to make this? Several reasons, really. It's vegetarian, it contains two of my more favorite spices, (turmeric and ginger) and lastly, I had never cooked nor eaten millet before this occasion. Whenever I think of millet, bird food somehow comes to mind because as a child, I remember feeding my colorful, perpetually cheerful budgerigars with palmfuls of millet seeds. The way this dish was depicted in the book, however, was so enticing that I couldn't wait to make this to feed myself! At the very least, I hoped to discover the secrets to my budgies' chirpiness all those years ago.


Since I had never cooked millet before, I stuck religiously to the recipe and the only thing that's different in the photos here is the addition of lime. I found that squeezing some lime juice over the hot millet dish enhanced the spicy flavors brought about by the ginger, turmeric and red curry. The millet itself was fragrantly nutty and bore the texture of cooked rice. Surprisingly it was quite filling so it's possible to have a full plate of this as a main course as opposed to it just being a side-dish. This dish was simple and enjoyable to prepare, and I understand now why my birdies were always joyful under my childhood watch.

If you'd like to view the recipe, I would suggest you get a copy of An Epiphany of the Senses. And if you really can't wait a few days for the delivery of the actual book, get the instant electronic version or even better, get both!


Mwaahs!

17 comments:

Sandra said...

What a wonderful review Maya..I couldn't agree more! This dish looks very delicious..Nicely done as always!!!!
Have a great Wednesday!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Sandra, for your support as always. So glad you enjoyed the dish! Hope it brightened up your mid-week ;-).

Jenny (VintageSugarcube) said...

Maya - LOVED your interview!! And she said it sooo eloquently; your creativity, kindness and intelligence shine through in ALL your posts. Hearts and smooches to ya.

Unknown said...

Jen, awwww....that's so beautiful of you, gurl! I'm starting to wonder if I'm your BaBa reincarnated?LOL. I genuinely feel the connection, you know... Thanks for bothering to read the interview, just hope it all makes sense!

Anonymous said...

Gah! I just purchased one cookbook the other day. I'm definitely going to have to try and pick this one up as well!

adorasbox said...

I am a fan of both Foodiva and Spicie Foodie. Both have impeccable style in food styling and photography. It is so nice to see both interacting in one post.

Unknown said...

Yummychunklet, that you must! Consider getting another cookbook a celebration of the third or fourth weeks of your birthday!

Unknown said...

Adora, likewise (and I'm not just saying this in reciprocation) I'm a fan if your site. Your recipes, food styling and photography reflect how elegant a person you are. I think mine pale in comparison... :-). Again, a massive thank you for your support and continuous presence here!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Oh will look at this interview, how cool! I so agree with your view on millet, I see it as bird food too. But I have eaten it and it's great. Love this version!

Roxan said...

I saw the interview, Nancy did a great job with it!
This dish looks amazing - you know I love vegetarian dishes! I bet it's packed with flavor.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Hi Foodiva! I just went to Spicie Foodie. I didn't know her website, so thank you for introducing me to her site. And you did a terrific job being interviewed! I'm so happy I got to know you even more. :-)

Tasty Trix said...

I checked out your interview - it confirmed that you are as amazing and awesome as I thought!! xoxo

Unknown said...

Hi Maya. Really enjoyed reading the interview and getting to know more about you. I've never had millet as well, but would love to try it. Looks utterly delicious. Have a great weekend.

Priscilla - She's Cookin' said...

Really enjoyed your interview on Spicie Foodie and the dishes featured were so imaginative and beautifully photographed. I have Nancy's cookbook and made the Thai Pineapple Chicken Curry because I'm a sucker for curry, now I'll have to try millet 'cuz this looks fantastic!

Nancy said...

Alas I am stopping by, sorry :( First of all get ready because I'm going to reach in through my screen to give you a enormous huge! You are so sweet, and your opinion is one I highly regard.

I think your addition of lime is perfect, so I'm coping it next time :) You are correct I do love my spices and that is one of the attractions to Asian cuisines. It's funny because my husband also calls millet bird food :) Thanks again sweetie for everything. I'll have to invite you over for another appearance soon.

Magic of Spice said...

It is such a great cookbook isn't it...you really did a beautiful job with this dish!
P.S. Loved your interview as well :)

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone, for checking out the dish, AND the interview as well! I couldn't ask more of my friends ;-).

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