5 Essential Thai Pantry Staples
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: June 6, 2011

Making Thai food at home is easy once you have all the staples in your pantry.  Stock up on these essential ingredients and you will be able to whip up a Thai meal any day of the week.  If you would like recipe ideas, I wrote a post about Thai Take-Out Classics, a round-up of my favorite dishes.
Coconut Milk
	A rich liquid made from shredded coconut meat and water.  It is the base to curries, soups and desserts. 
Curry Paste
	An array of herbs and spices pounded into a paste.  Green, red, and yellow are widely available and can be freely substituted in recipes.
Fish Sauce
	Fish sauce is the salty foundation to Thai cuisine.  This brown liquid is made from salted anchovies.  Look for brands that list anchovies as the first ingredient, then you'll know you are getting the real deal.
Sriracha Sauce
	The chili sensation that gives heat to Thai dishes.
Rice Noodles
	Instead of egg noodles, rice noodles take center stage in the Thai kitchen.  These noodles will keep for many months and can be used in countless ways.