Summer Warmth

Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Warm ocean breeze, surf and sand, summer is finally here.  Close your eyes and let your mind wander to nothingness and flavors.  Thai food is always on my mind.  A beach trip would be incomplete without a family gathering and  great spicy seafood.  My family and I capture a part of our summer here on Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

Thai Curry Crab Stirfry

My favorite of all time and a must at the beach is Thai curry crab stirfry.  Using local North Carolina blue crab, curry powder, ginger, celery, scallion and eggs, all are combined in a quick stirfry.  The flavor of the crab emulsified with the rest of the ingredient salty, spicy, sweet, and rich.  With a bowl of steaming jasmine rice...I feel right at home.

Satau Shrimp

I stumbled upon a local shrimp market in Indian Beach called Norman's.  They have the best local shrimp on the island and catch shrimp from their own shrimp boat (which is rare these days).  The exact address I am not quite sure, but it is located next to Willis Seafood on Salter Path.  I would skip Willis and go straight to this place.  The product is 200% better in quality for 1/2 of the price.  The 1st time I had this dish was at Phungha province in southern Thailand.  The area is known for sea shrimp of all forms.  Shrimp paste, the essence of many Thai dishes, is well known in the area.  My uncle is great at making this dish with shrimp, Sator seeds, shrimp paste and other spicy herbs.  North Carolina shrimp is well known and perfect for this dish...with head on.

Blue Ocean Seafood, Morehead City, NC

Blue Ocean Seafood in Morehead City is another great local seafood market.  Best to get the fish here are flounder, bluefish, snapper, all local catch.

Pok Tag Soup

Pok tag, In Thai language it means " broken fish net".  On a rainy day at the beach, a pungent seafood lemongrass soup, sprinkled with holy basil, chili and lime seems most appropriate.  Thai's eat spicy soup in the mist of the hot, humid summer day to cool down.  For me I drink the broth under a breezy cool shade to feel whole again.

Cheers to Summer!
Teera