h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Anyone know? I want to make some of those fresh Vietnamese spring rolls for a dinner party on Thursday but can't seem to get Thai Basil anywhere in Plymouth.

FB

Yeah, it's pretty similar stuff. Thai basil is a little more citrussy, so you might want to chuck in a little lemon or lime zest.

B

Cheers Bludd!

FB

The short answer is 'Yes and No - depending on how you look at it'.

Actually, the flavour is discernibly different. But regular basil tastes nice enough so you'll be quite happy.

I read something a while back by a food writer who was put right by a Vietnamese woman. We stress about being Authentic. But that's not how it works in Real Life. Haven't got any Authentic Thai Limes? Then use supermarket limes. No limes? Then maybe lemons will do. No lemons? Then make something else...

This is amazing. I didn't know there was a Thai basil, nor did I know it was different from the kind of basil that is used in Italian cooking.

Unless these spring rolls are being made for a discerning group of Asian guests, chances are no one will even notice or care. But I could be wrong.

I like Edward's analogy with limes and lemons. I keep lime juice and lemon juice in my refrigerator. Supermarkets don't seem to have any trouble offering these.

For sure on the adapting front. Most of my Asian cooking is fusion-ey Asian/FB flavours anyhow.

I did notice last time I cooked them they didn't seem quite right and therefore owndered if it was a basil issue. Will try MuBeta's suggestion and see how that goes!

FB

Try adding mint, too? Or do you already have that? Not too much, though.

Yeah got mint.

FB

I´d use leaves of cilantro,coriandrum?? it has citric smell and flavour and also gives a mild sting flavour, it´s very much used in Asian dishes, so...

you can also use the seeds, just grounded give a lovely smell and fresh flavour.




Ed, albahaca is the word in spanish for basil.

Oh, coriander is a given.

And it's less than half as expensive if you buy it as 'dhaniya' (ie from Asian shops rather than supermarkets).

noodlepie.com used to feature adventures in Vietnamese street food (the guy has since moved on). He used to refer to the pile of assorted herbs found on top of noodle soup dishes as 'shrubbery'.

Aaaaand...now I have an unrequitable desire for a bowl of pho. When I lived near London I used to go to a place on Lisle St every couple of weeks..