The range and diversity of Thai cooking is showcased in this magnificent collection of authentic recipes from each of the four regions of Thailand. Thai-born chef and culinary expert Panurat Poladitmontri and his partner, Judy Lew, have prepared this superb collection of authentic, recipes, each of which has been individually photographed by leading food photographer John Hay and beautifully styled by Ann Creber. Internationally renowned photographers Luca Invernizzi Tettoni and John Hay present a spectacular collection of photographs to show Thailand's great scenic diversity, from the beaches and jungles of the South to the misty mountains of the North, and the varied lives of it's people. William Warren, who has spent many years in Thailand, writes with an insider's knowledge. He takes the reader on an absorbing trip around the country discussing the various influences--historical, physical, racial and cultural--that have formed the distinctive culture of the Thai people.

An extensive glossary ensures that any cooks who are unfamiliar with oriental ingredients and presentation will have no difficulty in bringing this wonderful selection of Thai dishes to their tables. 

The Thai Salads chapter showcases such recipes as Coconut, Lemon, and Ginger Salad or Grilled Lobster Salad with Green Mango that demonstrate the great variety and sensuousness of this branch of Thai cooking. Drinks and desserts include such ethereal treats as Rose-Petal Sorbet and the refreshingly herbaceous Lemon Grass Tea, wonderful either hot or cold. There's also a chapter that shows how to marry these newfound Thai tastes with classic American cooking, through such improvisations as Bangkok Burgers with Marinated, Grilled Onions and Spicy Thai Ketchup.

Many of the recipes feature flavors not common in Western cooking, but Loha-unchit teaches you how to create a savory meal in which the disparate tastes work in harmony. In addition to the recipes, there are chapters on Thailand's seafood culture, how to select and prepare seafood, preserved foods and flavoring ingredients (like fish sauce, a staple item), and techniques and equipment. For those unfamiliar with fish sauce or shrimp paste, she explains how they are made, her favorite brands, and where you can purchase them (there's a store index in the back).

The recipes themselves are mouth-watering: Hot-and-Sour Shrimp Salad with Roasted Chilli Sauce, Lemon Grass, and Mint, Curried Mussels on the Half Shell with Flaked Crab, and Ginger-Tamarind Fish Soup, to name only a few. Though some of the recipes may seem daunting at first, Loha-unchit reminds us that "the wide range of variables makes Thai cooking exciting and Thai food both a simple and complex blend of invigorating flavors." After all, it's hard to resist Garlic-Black Bean Pan-Fried Red Snapper. Be sure to serve with a big pot of sticky white rice. --Dana Van Nest

In Thai Pure & Simple, Somnuk "Sandy" Arpachinda shares the secrets that have made her the "mother of Thai cooking" in Michigan. This exciting new book presents recipes for dishes that have delighted thousands of regular customers to Sandy's restaurants in the northern suburbs of Detroit.

Touring the four main regions of Thailand, chef Vatcharin Bhumichitr presents 150 authentic recipes, complete with a guide to basic ingredients and 70 color photos of the country and its food. The pungent flavor of lemon grass, the creamy richness of coconut milk, and the fiery punch of chili have all contributed to the phenomenal popularity of Thai cooking. Now Vatcharin Bhumichitr, proprietor of London's famous Chiang Mai restaurant, uses the essential ingredients themselves as the starting point for over 150 new recipes. Escorted through Thailand's four main regions, we discover the rice and noodles of Bangkok with their soy, fish, and bean sauces; the fiery dishes of the mountainous north, known for its garlic and chilies; the citrus flavors of the northeastern region: lemon grass, kaffir limes, and tamarind; and finally, in the south, the natural sweetness of fruits, palm sugar, and coconut. Filled with color images, this is both a superb cookbook and a marvelous culinary tour. 142 pp 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 70 color photos