Kwanjai`s recipes

Salmon Lad Prik Pao: A History of Fusion

1. The Ancient Flavor: Nam Prik Pao (Chili Paste)

• Ancient Roots: The flavor base—Nam Prik Pao (Thai Chili Paste or Chili Jam)—is ancient. It evolved from simpler, stir-fried chili pastes (Nam Prik Pad) in Central Thailand.

• The Transformation: Over time, tamarind and palm sugar were added to the dry chili, shallot, and garlic base, creating the famous sweet, sour, salty, and smoky jam we know today.

• The Role: This versatile paste became a key flavor-maker, used to season soups (like Tom Yum), toss into stir-fries, and serve as a condiment. This technique—Lad Prik (topped with chili sauce)—is a classic way to serve whole fried fish in Thailand, using a homemade or store-bought chili sauce.

2. The Modern Protein: Salmon 🐟

• Traditional Thai Fish: Thailand is surrounded by water, so seafood is central. However, historically, the common fish were local varieties (like Snapper, Sea Bass, and Mackerel) from the Gulf of Thailand or freshwater sources. Salmon is a cold-water fish and not native to the region.

• The Global Era: Salmon, especially imported farmed Atlantic salmon, became globally popular in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It was recognized for its appealing color, omega-3 health benefits, and mild, rich flavor.

• Adoption: As Thai cuisine modernized and globalization made international ingredients affordable and accessible, high-end Thai restaurants and home cooks started substituting local fish with salmon to cater to modern tastes and dietary trends.

3. The Delicious Fusion (The Dish is Born) 🥢

• The Recipe: The dish Salmon Lad Prik Pao is the direct result of applying a centuries-old Thai flavor technique (Lad Prik Pao—topping a crispy protein with chili paste sauce) to a 21st-century imported ingredient (Salmon).

• The Appeal: It offers the comfort and bold, balanced flavors of Thai tradition while utilizing a popular, healthy, and appealing Western fish. It's a prime example of modern Thai fusion cuisine found in cities and Thai restaurants around the world.

In summary, the dish is a happy marriage: an ancient, complex Thai sauce (Nam Prik Pao) meets a modern, global fish (Salmon).

Finding Peace and Strength in the Kitchen:
Kwanjai's Journey from Heartbreak to Hope

Kwanjai's Background: From Thailand to Sweden to Denmark

Kwanjai is a woman whose strength lies in her hands—both for the traditional healing of massage and the vibrant art of cooking. Originally from Thailand, Kwanjai moved to Europe many years ago after marrying a Swedish man, which led her to become a Swedish citizen.

In her earlier life in Sweden, Kwanjai was a confident and ambitious businesswoman. For several years, she successfully operated her own massage salon (from 2015 to 2018). Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she had a natural aptitude for public speaking, having been a confident presenter in her school days, and always possessed a deep, enduring passion for food and cooking.

She often turned to the kitchen to find joy, where she would cook with great detail and creativity, making beautiful dishes that she would share with friends and family. This dedication to cooking, she noted, came not just from skill but "from my heart". Little did she know that this passion would eventually become the anchor that saved her life.

The Loss of Everything

Kwanjai’s world shattered after a serious four-year relationship ended. The breakup was compounded by infidelity, which she discovered and could not accept. When she decided to walk away, her partner stripped her of everything she owned, including the entire assets from her small business—a massage salon—and emptied her personal bank account.

Left with nothing, the devastation was immediate and severe. "He took my soul, my life, my everything," she recounted. The trauma led to a mental health collapse and a desperate suicide attempt. Homeless and without resources, she was forced to sleep on a massage table and, tragically, resort to escort work just to buy food.

"I was crying, what for I have to live?"

This dark period led to a formal diagnosis of depression and PTSD. She spent two years in isolation, often unable to leave her room, just clinging to the promise she made to herself that she would not attempt to end her life again.

The Healing Power of Food

Kwanjai's lifeline came not from professional therapy alone, but from her deep-seated love of the kitchen. A friend eventually contacted her and encouraged her to start cooking again.

"When I cooking food, I'm not just do it, I cook it from my heart," Kwanjai explained. This act of creation, of focusing on the ingredients and the process, became her path to recovery. She realized that cooking served as a powerful form of therapy, helping to ease her severe depression.

"I can focusing when I cooking, I enjoy... that is make me happy and therapy me about the depression a lot."

By posting her beautifully decorated fusion dishes on Facebook, she slowly began reconnecting with the world, receiving support and interest from her community.

A New Chapter of Advocacy

Today, Kwanjai is determined to use her voice and her gift to help others. After receiving vital support from a Swedish women's NGO that helped her navigate the government system and access financial aid, she is now dedicated to giving back.

She has expressed keen interest in partnering on a project to create a Thai fusion cookbook. This book is envisioned as more than just a collection of recipes; it will be a platform where Thai women, like Kwanjai, can share their dishes alongside their personal stories of struggle, survival, and strength.

Kwanjai’s openness about her past, including her experience with unwanted profession to earn a living and her fight against depression, demonstrates incredible bravery and a desire to dismantle the stigma surrounding these topics. She emphasizes the importance of honesty and self-awareness for any woman in a difficult relationship.

"Be honest to yourself how you feel and honest to your feeling... do take much more happy if you can, but that's in the right way."

Kwanjai’s story is a powerful reminder that trauma does not have to be the final chapter. For her, the simple, honest work of cooking has become the foundation for a new, peaceful life, defined by resilience and a commitment to helping her community.