It's feeling almost as hot and muggy as Bangkok lately, so why not make that city's most famous street food, pad Thai? A Taste of Thai makes the noodle dish easier, with its sweet and spicy Pad Thai sauce ($2.99; two servings), which tastes authentic - perhaps because it's made in Thailand. All you need to finish your homemade pad Thai is rice noodles (also available from A Taste of Thai), an egg, shrimp, pork or chicken, scallions, peanuts, fresh bean sprouts, lime wedges, cilantro and a large stir-fry pan.

A Taste of Thai products are available in the ethnic section of many groceries.