I usually lose weight when I travel – I have a feeling Myanmar is going to be the exception! Yesterday morning was spent at Monsoon Restaurant with the executive chef who’s name is Nyo Nyo (there we go with those double barrelled names again). She is one of the very few female chefs – as opposed to cooks – in the country. She was a delightful woman, very authoritative with her staff but quite charming and with a wicked sense of humour. We cooked: Mandalay Tea Leaf Salad (my Fav.), Butter Fish Curry, Bachelor’s Chicken Gourd Curry, Lentil Soup, Mixed Vegetable Tempura and Coconut Rice (incredible mouth feel – made with coconut cream – now you understand why I won’t be losing any weight?)! I was rather hot and sweaty by the time we finished as you can see by the photo.

Nyo Nyo and me cooking at Monsoon

All completely delicious and provided I can source some of the ingredients, I will undertake a “Burmese Dinner” for friends and family when I come home! Great beer too – wine just does not appeal with these foods to me but interestingly the selection of wines at both Monsoon and the hotel while not huge is quite respectable.

Tea Leaf Salad

Mixed Vegetable Tempura

Bachelor Chicken and Gourd Curry

Coconut Rice