Som Tum Ma Muang 【泰式青芒果沙拉】

Som Tum is the most popular salad in Thailand, you can see stalls selling it at almost most corners of the streets in Thailand. There are many types of Som Tum in Thailand with various kind of ingredients and seasoning.

The recipe I make today is called Som Tum Thai, the sweet and sour version. The two most popular types of Som Tum Thai are green papaya salad and this green mango salad, though the greens and ingredients may vary a little, both the Som Tums are pretty similar.

A very good friend of mine MiuMiu, who loves Thai foods a lot found Thai-Laos Mortar/Pestles from a Thai/Laos store, and she was such a darling to send me one all the way from NY!

With the right tool and good green mango that I found at a local Indian store, I am ready for a plate of Som Tum Ma Muang on this hot summer day!

青木瓜沙拉和青芒果沙拉 (Som Tum) 是两款泰国最具代表性的轻食，也是国外的泰国餐厅里必有的前菜。Som Tum 摊子更是在泰国的街头巷尾都找得到，Som Tum 在泰国的做法更多样化，有咸螃蟹Som Tum, 咸蛋Som Tum，臭鱼Som Tum等等。

好友MiuMiu热爱泰国菜，经常研究做法。她有一天在纽约的一家泰国老挝超市看见了专门做Som Tum的锥形捣臼, 不仅给自己买了一个，还给我寄来一个。我何其幸运，有如此好友，真是感激不尽。

既然有了捣臼，这个夏天不做个Som Tum，如何对得起好友的一番心意？

Chinese Zucchini Pancakes 【西葫芦糊塌子】

Zucchini season is here, and my friend with the green thumb managed to grow gigantic Zucchini the size of an adult's arm!

She sent me a few of her Zucchinis and I turned one of them into this Zucchini Pancakes. A perfect side dish or breakfast with lesser carbs.

又到西葫芦盛产的时节，我有个好友送了几根她种的西葫芦，长得非常肥美粗壮。周末早晨取一根做这个糊塌子，再熬点小米粥，这样的早餐一家大小都很喜欢。

Sour Prune Drink 【酸梅汤】

酸梅汤 or sour prune drink is a traditional Northern Chinese beverage made from smoked plums （乌梅）. It is also a drink prepared mainly during the summertime, it is believed to relief heat from body in hot weather, it is also used to ease digestions.

As the weather approaching 3 digits in the past days, I made this for the family instead of having sodas!

酸梅汤是中国北方的传统饮料，一般夏天制作来解暑散热。

上周天气都上百华氏度了，做一大瓶酸梅汤冰镇在冰箱里。比喝汽水冷饮还要好呢！