Chicago Restaurant - Eat curry, it kills cancer cells

The blend of about 20 spices that make up curry include turmeric - the spice responsible for the yellow color - which has the chemical, curcumin.  Researchers from the Cork Cancer Research Center in Ireland found that when they treated esophageal cancer cells, the curcumin caused the cells to die and prevented tumors from growing.  Given this news, I thought would be a good idea to find myself some curry for dinner! 

Although curry is widely used in Indian cooking, I was in the mood for Thai tonight.  I chose to visit a modest neighborhood stop - Sweet Tamarind Thai Cuisine.  It was an especially good location on "All Hallows' Even" since it's situated next to the red line's Belmont stop and passersby are plentiful and eclectic.  With a spot by the window, I enjoyed my cancer-fighting curry, vegetable sides and costume runway. 

Sweet Tamarind (tropical evergreen tree according to Google definitions) is like many Thai restaurants, their menu is deep and detailed, the options range from fried rolls/bags/wontons to nondescript names like "The Supreme" or "Spicy Crazy Noodles".  What sets ST apart from the plethora of Thai choices is that they have a smart but heavy hand for spice and a preference for fresh vegetables.  I appreciate vegetables on any and every menu, as you know, but at Sweet Tamarind, the vegetables are always handcut, crisp, fresh and they love to add color to each meal. 

You can start with any salad here:  seaweed, cucumber, Thai (shredded vegetables with tofu), or even Green Papaya.  But remember, Sweet Tamarind likes it hot, so request the level of spice you like.  I chose the seaweed salad.  Although I love the taste and wiggly texture of seaweed, I also know it's a rich source of iodine, other minerals such as potassium and magnesium, and vitamin C.  A little salty, but an interesting way to add variety to my vegetables choices. 

The yellow curry at Sweet Tamarind is also full of vegetables.  It's served with green, red and yellow peppers, onions and coconut milk.  As a side, coconut has received a lot of attention lately - coconut water that is.  A few brands of coconut water have hit the shelves recently and it should not be confused with what I had in my curry.  Coconut water is fat-free and has few calories.  The coconut in my curry, on the other hand, is coconut milk and not the same - it has fat and calories.  Coconut milk contains saturated fat (not the good type), but does provide iron and vitamin C.  For less calories and fat, look for curry that is made without coconut milk.  I chose the yellow because it starred in the aforementioned anti-cancer study. 

I know there are so many Thai choices, but for reasonably priced meals, BYOB, a convenient location next to the red line, pay Sweet Tamarind a visit.  You'll have many options for fresh veggies, spicy dishes and of course, cancer-fighting curry.