Celebrating Songkran in Marbella: Thai Dishes You Can Make at Home
Bringing Thai New Year to the Costa del Sol
April is an exciting time in Thailand. Songkran, the Thai New Year, is all about fresh starts, family and of course, food. It’s one of those celebrations where the dishes are just as important as the traditions – light, vibrant, full of flavour and made to share.
Here in Marbella, we see more and more people looking for authentic Thai ingredients around this time of year. Some are celebrating Songkran themselves, others are cooking for friends or adding something new to their menu. Either way, the same thing comes up again and again – finding the right ingredients locally. And that’s exactly where we come in.
At Leo Foods, we’ve built up a strong range of Thai products over the years, making it easier to recreate those proper Thai dishes without having to compromise on flavour.
Songkran Cooking
Thai food is all about striking the right balance between sweet, salty, sour and spicy. Once you’ve got the right base ingredients, everything else becomes much easier.
Things like fish sauce, curry pastes, coconut milk, chilli sauces and jasmine rice are what make Thai food taste like Thai food, and we keep all of these well stocked throughout the year.
A Few Songkran Dishes To Try At Home
The best part about cooking Thai food is that you don’t need to be an expert to get started. A lot of Thai cooking is surprisingly simple once you have the right ingredients, and once you understand the basics, you can build from there quite easily.
Som Tam (Papaya Salad)
Fresh, sharp, and full of flavour, Som Tam (Papaya Salad) is one of the most popular dishes eaten during Songkran, especially because it’s so refreshing in the Thai heat.
Traditionally made with shredded green papaya, this salad combines lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, garlic and fresh chilli, then is lightly pounded together to release all the flavours. Cherry tomatoes and green beans are often added for extra texture, and it’s usually topped with crushed peanuts.
To make it at home, you simply mix and lightly crush the ingredients together in a bowl or pestle and mortar until everything is well combined.
Thai Curries
If there’s one thing people always come to us for, it’s our range of Thai curry pastes.
Green, red and yellow curries all start with a base of curry paste and proper coconut milk, but each one brings something slightly different. Green curry tends to be fresher and a bit sharper, red curry is richer and slightly spicier, and yellow curry is milder with a warmer, more aromatic flavour.
Making a Thai curry at home is so much easier than people expect. You simply cook off the curry paste to release the flavours, add coconut milk, then your choice of meat, tofu or vegetables. Let it simmer gently until everything is cooked through, and finish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lime.
Served with jasmine rice, it’s a simple, comforting dish that always works.
Pad Krapow (Thai Basil Stir Fry)
This is one of those dishes that’s quick, simple, and always delivers.
Pad Krapow is a stir fry made with minced meat (usually chicken or pork), garlic, chilli and Thai basil, all cooked together in a rich, savoury sauce. The sauce is typically made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sugar to balance everything out.
To make it, you fry off garlic and chilli, add the meat and cook until browned, then stir through the sauces and fresh basil right at the end. It’s usually served over rice and topped with a fried egg.
It’s fast, full of flavour and perfect if you want something authentic without spending too long in the kitchen!
Khao Chae (Traditional Songkran Dish)
This one is a bit more traditional and closely tied to Songkran itself.
Khao Chae is a chilled rice dish served in delicately scented water, often infused with jasmine or floral aromas. It’s designed to cool you down during the hottest time of the year in Thailand, which is why it’s so popular during the Thai New Year.
The rice is served alongside a selection of small side dishes, which can include sweetened shredded pork, stuffed vegetables, or crispy elements that add contrast in texture and flavour.
Starting with good-quality jasmine rice is essential here, as it really is the base of the whole dish.
Why People Come to Leo Foods for Thai Ingredients
We hear it all the time from our customers – people go from shop to shop trying to find what they need and still come up short.
Our aim with Leo Foods has always been simple: make it easy to find international ingredients in one place.
That’s why professionals, home cooks and even holidaymakers come to us when they’re looking for Thai products. They know they can walk in and actually find what they need, whether it’s something basic or something more specific.
And if you’re not sure what to use, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.
Pop In or Shop Online
You don’t need to be in Thailand to enjoy Songkran. A few good ingredients, a simple recipe, and you can bring those flavours to your own table.
If you’re planning to cook something Thai this April, whether it’s for Songkran or just because you fancy it, come and have a look around.
You can visit us in Nueva Campana, Marbella, or simply grab everything online at shop.interleo.com
We supply both retail and wholesale, so whether you’re cooking at home or for a full kitchen, you’ll find exactly what you need.
