Fiesta Friday #607

After several mishaps, such as growing the wrong type or not growing enough, I finally harvested enough Thai Holy Basil yesterday to replicate an authentic Pad Gaprao I once tasted in Bangkok.

Pad Gaprao, which translates to Stir-fry with Holy Basil, and hence the importance of holy basil as an ingredient, is so popular in Thailand that it’s considered a national dish. There’s even a restaurant in Bangkok that specializes solely in this dish!

However, after all the effort of acquiring the right seeds and tending the plants all summer, I realized I actually preferred the not-so-authentic version made with Thai sweet basil or even Italian Genovese basil. I found Thai holy basil to be less aromatic than the other two, which are also easier to find in the stores around here. Thai holy basil is practically non-existent where I live. Unless you grow it yourself, you won’t be able to get your hands on it.

This episode has taught me, once again, that authentic doesn’t always translate to better or superior. Or maybe it’s just a matter of personal preference. I’m still glad I gave Thai holy basil a try, but from now on I will make my Pad Gaprao with either Thai sweet basil or Italian Genovese basil.

Now It’s Features Time

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