Simply Suwanee

What a fantastic evening at KSPS PBS last night! Thank you, Spokane for showing up for us!

You think you know Som Tum… until you realize there are about 20020203 ways Thailand makes it. 😂🌶️

Sweet. Salty. Funky. Spicy. Crunchy. Addictive!!

I finally put together my complete Som Tum Guide covering the different styles of Thai papaya salad, authentic Isaan flavors, ingredients, and how it’s traditionally made in Thailand.

Honestly? I could eat Som Tum every single day and never get tired of it.

New post is live: https://www.simplysuwanee.com/som-tum-guide/

SHARE & LEARN about this iconic Thai salad!

Som Tum Guide, Everything You Need to Know About Thai Green Papaya Salad A complete Som Tum guide covering the different types, essential ingredients, traditional tools, and how authentic Thai green papaya salad is made.

Spokane friends, come join us!
May 27th, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Free and fun!
Full Info below: ⬇️

The next film in our “Docs with KSPS” series takes viewers to five bustling international grocery stores in America and the communities they serve. Following the screening, hear from local chefs, grocers and community leaders who are bringing cuisine from around the world to Spokane and beyond.

RSVP at grocery-list.eventbrite.com and join us for a celebration of global food traditions!

Discussion Panelists
- Suwanee Lennon, creator of Simply Suwanee Thai food blog, chef at Feast World Kitchen, contestant on PBS’s “The Great American Recipe”
- Jacqueline Babol, Nonprofit leader at orgs including Filipino American Northwest Association, Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Coalition and Nourish Spokane
- Pia Gilbert, specialty grocery retail veteran and dedicated Spokane foodie
- Alice Koh, owner of SeraiMas Malaysian catering and former chef at Feast World Kitchen
- Hibra Tsegay, owner of Amen Ethiopian Cafe (Amenethiopiancafe) and chef at Feast World Kitchen
- Tom Tyson, co-owner of Oriental Market

Featured on Northwest Profiles last week!
Thank you KSPS PBS,’s team for a fun experience filming for this mini-documentary! The editing was fantastic!

Web: https://video.ksps.org/video/served-by-suwanee-axiplt/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/cqxn4OJi1Ss?si=lsnVpIkUWxq0vp3i

KSPS PBS Public TV 5 likes. "From Thailand to Spokane: Suwanee’s Journey on The Great American Recipe | NW Profiles | KSPS PBS"

I may be a little quiet here on social, but life behind the scenes has been very full and busy lately. Between work, family, and juggling all the things, I have still been finding little moments to enjoy some of my favorite foods.

This Thai fruit som tum has been one of my favorite things to make this spring. It is fresh, sweet, tangy, a little spicy, and such a fun way to use all the beautiful fruit that is in season right now.
Grab your favorite fruits and give this easy recipe a try.

Full instructions and photos are on the blog here: https://www.simplysuwanee.com/som-tum-fruit/

Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow with the Seahawks (My home team- WA) means one thing. Epic snacks! From Thai wings to Tom Yum meatballs. Swipe to see our family favs. Pick your favorite and let’s go! 🟢🟦

Links for recipes in stories below ⬇️

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/thai-tom-yum-meatballs/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/beef-wontons/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/shrimp-in-a-blanket-shrimp-firecrackers/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/easy-chicken-wing-recipe/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/gai-tod/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/easy-chicken-satay-recipe/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/nam-prik-ong/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/pineapple-habanero-salsa/

https://www.simplysuwanee.com/tamarind-dipping-sauce/

Happy New Year, friends.
�May 2026 bring love, peace, and a sense of renewal to each of you.
(I’m sharing our little family tradition for New Year’s Eve below).
A few years ago, my husband and I started a simple tradition of cooking seafood instead. We both love it, and after weeks of heavier holiday meals, seafood feels like a lighter, healthier way to close out the year and welcome the next.
One dish that shows up at the table every time: tamarind shrimp or prawns. Sweet, tangy, and comforting, it’s become our New Year’s staple. We often add a small selection of steamed seafood and always paired with Thai green seafood sauce, bright, fresh and spicy! The rest of the meal comes together based on what’s available and what feels right that year. And of course, with kids, we’ve modified our menu slightly to make it fun and palatable for everyone.
After the meal, we wash our hands with flower-scented wate, jasmine, rose, pandan, whatever we have on hand. Inspired by Thai New Year traditions, it’s our way of washing away the heaviness of the past year and stepping into the next with a lighter heart.
If you’re curious, the tamarind shrimp recipe is on the blog, and of course, so is the Thai green seafood sauce, two dishes that return to our table every New Year’s Eve. Happy 2026!

Do you have an end of year tradition?

Recipes:

Tamarind shrimp: https://www.simplysuwanee.com/thai-tamarind-shrimp/

Thai green seafood sauce: https://www.simplysuwanee.com/thai-green-seafood-sauce/