Thai cuisine is a classic mix of sweet, sour, salty and spicy. The Nam Prik is one such example from the Thai plate. The simplicity in the making of Nam prik makes it a favorite Thai dish. So much so that it is used as a dipping sauce with fried spring rolls, grilled vegetables and many more. Nam Prik can be prepared in lightening speed.

Grilled shrimp or vegetables with Nam prik is a must try combination. Sugar, Lime juice, freshly minced chillies and nam pla (a fermented fish sauce widely used in South East Asia) are the basic ingredients of the Nam prik. Nam pla has fast gained popularity amongst Westerners, but it will surely gain more popularity in days to come.

Adding finely minced ginger, garlic or even lemon grass to this would not do any harm to the taste. Nam prik can also be used to baste the shrimp or vegetables during grilling, that's why I do recommend you make Nam prik in extra quantities.

Any shrimp dish will be incomplete if I don't mention peeling and de-veining of the shrimps.

Generally, the cook does the peeling of the shrimp. The plus point about peeling is that it is very convenient for the guests. On the other side, the fact that shrimp tastes better when cooked in the shell. Confusing enough, you may decide how you want to cook the shrimps...

De-veining has never been my concern. I have seen some people objecting to de-veining of shrimps but really the cases have been very few. The vein in itself is tasty and I love that! Some southern shrimp eaters will totally agree with me on this and they believe it actually adds more flavor to it.

Shrimp with a touch of Nam prik, is called the Thai Bath...

-- Grilled Shrimp With Nam Prik --

~ 1 tablespoon sugar

~ 1 teaspoon minced chili, or to taste

~ 1-1/2 to 2 pounds large shrimp

~ 3 tablespoons lime juice, or to taste

~ 3 tablespoons Nam Pla (Thai fish sauce)

~ Salt

Start a charcoal or gas grill. Heat should be medium-hot and the rack no more than 4 inches from the heat source. You can also use a broiler if you prefer.

If you like, peel and devein shrimp.

Combine sugar, chili, lime juice and nam pla. Taste, and adjust seasoning.

Lightly salt shrimp, then grill them about 2 minutes to a side. Divide nam prik among 4 bowls, and serve as a dip for shrimp.