Chocolate Buffet - Sukothai

A chocolate buffet? I suppose I should really! A group of about 12 of us went to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'd heard about the Sukothai's Chocolate Buffet but just hadn't got around to going so thanks to Gillian, I had my first taste! 

We ordered our choice of tea (French Breakfast) and then started on the savouries which were laid out beautifully like a little tea party. After some amazing smoked salmon sandwiches and some canapes, I was all ready to start on the chocolate. 

There were so many different chocolate desserts that I didn't really know where to start! The macaroons were fab, the truffles were delicious and the plum crumble with custard and chocolate sauce was heaven. 

However, all of this paled into insignificance against the hot chocolate degestation table. Over 15 different types of chocolate from around the world, extras like hazelnut ganache and pralines, and cream. Oh good lord! You could try the different chocolates before picking which flavours you wanted to mix your own hot chocolate, made for you there in a tiny little silver pot over an open flame. The result was a small, delicate tea cup, filled with a thick, rich chocolate, topped with a fluffy cloud of cream. The smell was irresistible and the taste was dark, deep and sensuous - a bit too Nigella for you?! Tough! It was, possibly, one of the best taste experiences I have ever had! I can't wait to go back, just for the hot chocolate! 

I've been inspired to try making a hot chocolate as good! On the look out for some posh Peruvian or Ecuadorian chocolate now! 

Sampeng Lane

This has to be one of my favourite places in Bangkok. Sampeng Lane stretches through Chinatown and is a narrow, hodge podge of stalls and shops all crammed in to a tiny space. People squeeze each other, food sellers pull their carts through and shop owners maneuver boxes of stock around the buyers. It's a shopping haven and you can buy anything there, even things you didn't know existed. Or would never in a million years imagine you could need or want. It's bright, colourful and busy and for magpies like me, there's so many things to lust after!

Fabric shops

Baked goods

Freshly squeezed juice

More fabric shops

And yet more fabric shops!

Tat, stuff and things

Pretty colours

Knock offs! Makes me want an iPhone

I treated myself to some fabric. I haven't got a sewing machine here, and have a box of pretty fabric at home too, but it was so lovely and cheap and I couldn't resist. I will now have to make something with it - I was thinking a nice big warm quilt or throw for my bed. Then I'd be able to say 'I bought that fabric in Thailand' when I'm eventually snuggled up on the sofa/in bed under it.

Pinks, greens and greys

Before I eventually leave Thailand I'm going to go there and spend hundreds of pounds on beautiful fabric. I'm not sure what I'll do with it all, it'll be an investment! 

Thai Mango Chutney

It's coming up to winter in the UK and if I was still at home I'd be buying plums and going blackberry picking and making jams and chutneys. Imported berries and fruits are available here, but are super expensive.

Nearly £6 for about 16 blackberries

So, I wanted to try and find an alternative that I could make for a reasonable price here. Mangoes are a very Thai fruit and aren't too expensive, so thought I'd give mango chutney a go. June was very kind and let me pick mangoes from her garden! However, these weren't the ones I ended up using for the chutney. 

I had a look at lots of different recipes but couldn't find one I really liked so I mix and matched and made up my own. It turned out pretty good!

So the recipe is:

4 large mangoes, peeled and roughly chopped

2 small onions chopped

250g mixed coloured raisins

5 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

300g brown sugar

8oz apple cider vinegar

2 tbs curry powder

Boil up and jar! 

I tried some with cheese and bread and it is pretty good! Might make another batch. All I have to do is label and put some pretty lids on.