Over the last few years we have had many visitors here at Wat Preah Yesu (sometimes known as the SALT centre) these visitors sometimes stay for weeks or months (as volunteer teachers, etc.), sometimes a few hours, or anything in between. As they have come and gone, we hope they have taken memories of this place with them. As we’ve shared meals with them, many of our guests have been amazed (maybe some more shocked), at the foods we eat. I have tried to adapt some Western styles/kinds of cooking to fit the local Cambodian scene without needing to buy too many foreign ingredients. The majority of the ingredients are unprocessed, and almost all are available in the local fresh-food market.
We try to rely on fresh fruits and vegetables for a lot or our meals, and cooked soup, etc. for lunchtime. We are always aiming for a closer-to-natural diet as we see the 2nd coming of Jesus nearing.
At the request of many of our guests, I’ve finally put pen to paper, but please bear with the rough estimates and lists of ingredients with no actual measurements. Use these recipes as springboards for your own unique family favourites. These are ours.
Always eat with thankfulness and love in your hearts and hope to meet you all in Heaven at the greatest banquet of all time.
Notes:
The term sauté usually refers to using a small amount of oil in a pot or pan. I propose that you can sauté in a small amount of water (slower and lower heat) with a better effect on your health.
Try to obtain fats in their natural states – e.g.. In whole nuts and beans and decrease the amount of processed oils we use.
In recipes using coconut cream – it would be ideal to use the coconut flesh also, and so those recipes relying on coconut cream should not be everyday recipes, but rather for special occasions. Where possible, using the coconut flesh for breakfast Granola is a good idea. This is much easier to do if you have refrigeration.
Always search for healthier ways of cooking and eating. Fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural states are the original, designed to protect and nurture our bodies.
Eating foods in their natural state, also saves time and gas/wood/coal from cooking.