Naam Phrik Plaa Yaang @ PNA [Pics]

As I mentioned elsewhere, PNA is almost sure to have at least one of several types of náam phrík, or Thai-style “dip,” available for sale at any given time. One of my all-time favourites, náam phrík plaa yâang (Central Thai-style grilled fish dip), is outlined below.


náam phrík plaa yâang -- ingredients

This mellow, sweet, and smoky dip is suitably accompanied by any number of things, including crisply-fried pork skins (khàep mũu), sliced cucumber (taeng kwaa chín), pickled cabbage (phàk kàat dawng), sliced mango (má-mûang chín), fried shrimp (kûng thâwt), and steamed eggs (khài nêung).


náam phrík plaa yâang -- service

NB This item would rank somewhere near the bottom on my scale of "difficulty," as Thai foodstuffs go. If you were to try it with your eyes closed, you might think that you were eating spicy bacon dip.

PNA
2310 W. Leland Ave.
773.784.1797

E.M.

Mmm...looks like the Thai version of my favorite Ft. Pierce FL delicacy--pretty much the only thing Ft. Pierce is good for except grapefruits, and crack, if you're into that sort of thing, I mean, not everyone likes citrus --

SMAK
a fish spread made of salmon, mackerel, some fish that starts with A, and some other fish that starts with K-- my memory is a little foggy and the interweb is no help on this.

It's available exclusively at Summerlin's Baywood-Smoked Seafood
1105 Seaway Dr
Ft Pierce FL
(772) 461-0504

It's best enjoyed with ritz crackers, club crackers, or some other cracker made entirely of butter and white flour.

I know I sound sarcastic, but it's some seriously good stuff. I wish they shipped, but, sigh, they don't. It's an XMas staple at my parent's house in Vero Beach, FL.

Here is another version of náam phrík plaa yâang which is occasionally available for sale at PNA:


"náam phrík plaa yâang" @ $3.


service : pork skins, pickled cabbage, and sliced cucumber

This version is remarkably different from the first one outlined above, but I like it just as well.*

E.M.

EDIT : (09.06.06) I initially failed to mention that this product is imported from Thailand.

* I cannot be certain, but I believe that this second version contains a commercial curry paste of some sort. At any rate, and unlike the first, sweet trails heat by a considerable margin.