I think was born in the wrong country. Now don’t get me wrong; I enjoy being an American…wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. My ancestry is half Portuguese along with English, Irish and a touch of Welsh. That’s fine and dandy, but I have reason to believe two countries have been hiding inside me, mainly on my taste buds.

Ever since I had my first taste of Thai and Vietnamese food many moons ago, I’ve been smitten. Both are now mouth-watering favorites I wish I’d discovered way sooner. But here’s the good news…

My friend Mandy happens to live across the street from a woman from Thailand and she taught Mandy the art of cooking Thai food. Turns out it pays to know people who live across the street from a Thai cook. Lucky us!

So a few months ago, Mandy came over to show our friend Sharon and me how to make a flavor-packed Thai dish — yellow curry with chicken and shrimp. She also gave us Thai cookbooks and a variety of curry pastes to make an endless array of yumminess. Gotta love that Mandy.

Recently, Sharon reciprocated by having Mandy, our friend Pam, and yours truly for another Thai lunch. But when Pam and I arrived, Sharon and Mandy were hunched over something on the kitchen island. Seems the gas in Sharon’s neighborhood had been turned off that morning! What are the odds?

Fortunately, Sharon’s neighbor had a camp stove but the flame wouldn’t stay lit. So Mandy had to hold the knob in place or the stove would turn off. One hand stirred the curry while the other kept the flame alive. Way to go, Mandy! Lunch was now a definite possibility.

Soon, Pam and I had our vegetable chopping duties, which, as I was about to learn, is a major part of Thai cooking. Pam sliced and diced vegetables for the soup while I prepared the spring roll ingredients and made the dipping sauce. Sharon, as she normally does, multitasked. Yep, we were on a roll.

Learning to make spring rolls was tricky. We soaked the wraps in water before loading them with the veggies and shrimp. My first roll looked a bit pregnant, but I eventually caught on as each of us practiced perfecting that art. (PS…we may need more practice.)

Sharon is a born hostess. She’s like a mini Martha Stewart with her knack for decorating, cooking, baking, sewing…anything creative, you name it, she can do it. She puts the rest of us to shame. Check out the tablescape she threw together for our little luncheon. My luncheon guests, poor things, usually sit at the kitchen counter, sans a pretty centerpiece. Shame on me.

During lunch, a workman arrived to see if the gas was back on, which it wasn’t. Then, Sharon’s husband, Jim, and my godson, Martin, arrived after golf to join us at the table. They inhaled the meal, so I’d say it was a thumbs up.

I like to bake, so for dessert I made Hawaiian cupcakes. We sat chatting at the table until the inevitable happened. Turns out this particular Thai meal requires an abundance of dish washing, so we got to it.

I’m next to host our luncheon, but this time I’m preparing Vietnamese. Am I crazy? But here’s my plan…

To save face, I’ll have us sitting at the dining room table with a pretty flower centerpiece and a semi-nice tablecloth. I’ll serve lunch on my china, and maybe impress them with my light and fluffy lemon cheesecake.

I admit it’s questionable how this meal will turn out since it will be my first (and maybe last) attempt at cooking Vietnamese food. I’m already questioning this decision. But just in case, I’ll be sure to have my trusty eggplant Parmesan waiting in the wings.