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closeWednesday, Oct. 08, 2008
Cooking Thai: Emerald of Siam Thai restaurant owner writes second cookbook
By Loretto J. Hulse. Herald staff writer
Lemon grass, red curry and Thai basil were exotic ingredients in 1983, almost impossible to find anywhere let alone in the Tri-Cities.
Good restaurants also were scarce, said Alima Ravadi Quinn, owner of The Emerald of Siam restaurant in Richland. Which is why the governess-teacher-turned mom decided to open her own.
She didn't know anything about running a restaurant then. But on Oct. 10 and 11 Quinn will celebrate her 25th year as a restaurateur.
She'll also be releasing her second cookbook, Thai Cooking In a Sufi's Kitchen. Her first cookbook, Joy of Thai Cooking, was published in 1990.
Not bad accomplishments for someone who taught herself how to cook in 1971 by reading The Joy of Cooking. Learning how to cook Thai cuisine came later.
In the years since, Quinn's cooking skills have evolved and so has her personal and spiritual development.
Her second cookbook is more than just recipes and lots of mouthwatering color photos. "There's a spiritual element to it too," she said.
Mixed among the recipes are poems and inspirational writings reflecting her life philosophy: Anything done from love grows and makes happy whoever shares in it.
With her own growing spiritual awareness over the years, Quinn said, "My time spent in the kitchen of the Thai restaurant ... began to bring a new meaning to my life. The kitchen has become a place of reverence and meditation, a place for the practice of love, much more than just a place of work or obligation."
"It gives me such joy to feed people," Quinn said.
Sharing her recipes brings joy too. Thai cuisine is diverse, and healthy to eat, she said.
Thai food is known for its enthusiastic use of fresh herbs, spices and produce. It can be spicy, but not always. The last thing Thai dishes are is boring.
"Thai food borrows from all the cuisines of the world -- Indian, Chinese, Cambodia, French, they all influence Thai cuisine," Quinn said.
Recipes for some of the most popular dishes on The Emerald of Siam menu are at right.
*Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com
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