Thai Lao Gang Ba - Fish Soup

Today I received the sad news that my Grandfather, at 105 years old, past away in Paksan. How did he maintain his longevity? He meditated about 3 times a day and his diet consisted of rice and fish soup.

Eight years ago, I went back to Thailand and Laos for the first time. During my visit, he asked me to roast him some corn. That was a request I could deliver because I didn't know how to cook Thai & Lao food eight years ago.

I had the corn, so all I needed was to roast it over the open fire pit. The fire was dying so I was rushing frantically to fan the ashes and feed twiggs to catch a spark. The fire kept dying and I ran out of twiggs. I decided to gather more twiggs further from the house.

When I returned, my Grandfather was roasting the corn over the fire with flames! That was embarrassing!

He didn't say anything. He was in his moment. At peace. Roasting the corn. I sat with him. In quiet meditation.

This summer, I had plans to visit him and make this soup....rest in peace Grandpa.

I'll post the video when I get a chance to produce it. In the mean time, I'll share my dad's recipe, which was how Grandpa liked his gang ba.

Thai Lao Fish Soup Recipe for Grandpa Sanoubane:

In a pot, over high heat, add:
15 - 20 cups water
1 fish head or chopped fish with bone
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried tamerand
1/4 cup tomato slices
5 slices of galanga
3 kaffir lime leaf
1 lemon grass piece, about 2 inches

Cook fish for 10 minutes. Then add:
1 - 2 garlic slices
1/4 cup tomato slices
1/2 teaspoon salt or 2 tablespoon fish sauce
1/4 cup slice sweet onion
Garnish with chopped cilantro & green onion

Serve immediately.