Ottawa
June/July 2005
BITE: Lemongrass Ribs
I have a bad habit when it comes to dining in Thai restaurants. I tend to order the same tried-and-true dishes every time. On a recent visit to Khao Thai (103 Murray St. 241-7276) however, I ordered lemongrass ribs on a whim. They were so astonishingly delicious that I devoured them before I had a chance to figure out what made them so good. But for you, dear reader, I was willing to return a second, and third time to inspect and analyze this delectable dish, and report back. The beautifully balanced flavour begins as a marinade that includes honey, lemongrass, ginger, soy and garlic. The sweet nectar caramelizes the baby back ribs when deep-fried, rendering a dark golden glaze on the exterior, while the meat inside remains juicy, tender and bursting with flavour. A final hit of ‘yum’ comes from time spent on a charcoal grill. Each order is served under slivers of fried lemongrass. Welcome to my repertoire. --- Shawna Wagman
