Due to the lack of experience in the preparation of Cambodian food, a suitable recipe is required. Preferably with a “built-in” guarantee to make sure the result doesn’t end up in the garbage bin. With Haven – Cooking for a cause from the Haven restaurant in Siem Reap, I own the most wonderful Khmer cookbook imaginable
In August 2016 I meet Sara, one of the operators at Haven restaurant. The Haven is a very special place with very special people and very special dishes. (When you are in Siem Reap, you just have to eat there!) During our brief and very warm meeting, Sara tells me that Haven will be bringing out a cookbook soon. I was immediately full of enthusiasm. I MUST have this cookbook. Seriously! But it turns out to be not that easy. Because the printing process was taking longer than planned and our journey home was moving closer.
An hour before we leave Siem Reap to return home, Sara and her husband Paul finally get their hands on the freshly printed cookbooks. We quickly arrange a meeting point and a short time later Sara -beaming with joy- hands me the new cookbook. I feel so honored to be the first to see it. After all, we had only met once.
Some of the ingredients for the Khmer Chicken Curry from the Haven cookbook