Fresh, friendly, and flavorful are the operative words at Ploy Thai Cuisine, where the food of the region is served in a cozy, modern setting. Stop in to quell your hunger with a bowl of yummy soup or a flavorful entree. The salad and appetizer bar comes with each entree, but be aware that you can’t take leftovers out with you, so come with a hearty appetite and clean your plate.

The menu features a curry du jour, featuring either Panang, Green, or Massaman curry. Entrees include Pad Prik Khing with your choice of meat with red curry paste, green beans, lime leaves, and bell peppers; Ploy’s Garlic with garlic sauce, steamed vegetables, and your choice of meat; and Cashew Chicken with onions, mushrooms, and cashews in brown sauce. Soft shell crab, seared salmon, and mahi mahi are among the seafood dishes.

Ploy Thai Cuisine is open every day.

Ploy Thai Cuisine
1500 Research Forest Drive
Spring, TX 77381
(281) 465-8399
www.ploythaicuisine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ploy-thai-cuisine-spring

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/mimolag

It’s fun to try new recipes in the kitchen, but that fancy new dish may involve a few cooking techniques that make you scratch your head. Here are a few helpful definitions of some kitchen terms that you might encounter in a gourmet-style recipe.

1. Crème Fraiche. Crème fraiche is a creamy sauce with a tangy, sharp flavor. You can purchase it in most high end grocery stores, or you can make your own using 1/2 cup of whipping cream and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Cover the mixture and let it sit for at least two hours to thicken.
2. Filet. If the word is used as a verb, filet means to remove the bones from meats like steak or fish. As a noun, this is the piece of meat after the bones have already been removed.
3. Glaze. A glaze is a thin coat of sugar syrup that’s applied before cooking. After cooking, the glaze turns to a hard finish that’s almost to the point of cracking.
4. Gratin. Gratin is literally the French word for “crust.” This is usually used for oven-baked savory dishes, which are prepared in a shallow, oval-shaped gratin dish and covered with a browned crust of breadcrumbs or cheese.

Glossary of Basic Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [UMN]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Better Homes & Gardens]
Culinary Terms [About.com]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy

If you’re in to quilting or knitting, or if you want to learn, The Hen House in Spring is the place for you. This 6,000 square feet retail store is packed floor to ceiling with quilting and fiber arts supplies. Those that enjoy knitting and crocheting will be amazed at the yarn selection with everything from simple skeins to luxurious wools. Quilters will love the sewing supplies and colorful selection of fabrics. The Hen House regularly offers classes for beginners and experienced crafters. For those that aren’t crafty themselves, but appreciate artisan goods, they sell handmade gifts like candles, cards, jewelry and knitted items.

The Hen House
6915 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
(832) 482-2591
www.yelp.com/biz/the-hen-house-spring

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/flyngmunky