Episode 181: Thai Food Traditions

This week it's a look at Thai food traditions with Su-Mei Yu, chef/owner of Saffron Restaurant in San Diego and author of Cracking the Coconut: Classic Thai Home Cooking. Su Mei tells of the rather curious way she researched her heritage, and leaves us with etiquette tips for dining in Thai restaurants and a recipe for sticky rice.

Jane and Michael Stern report from Nick's Nest in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where they're eating wienies the way they were served in mid-century New England. Jewish-food authority Matthew Goodman wants us to try the spicy cuisine of Yemen. His recipe for Yemenite Fish in Tomato Sauce is a fine introduction. We'll hear how TV chef Sara Moulton juggles two jobs and a young family, and we'll meet a beekeeper who tends his hives on the rooftops of New York City.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

• May 4, 2001 (originally aired)

• April 27, 2002 (rebroadcast)