What would Thailand be without its oodles of noodles, fiery fish curries and crunchy, tangy salads?
From street vendors to top restaurant chefs, cooking and eating authentic Thai food is a labour of love for many locals and a highlight for countless tourists wanting the real Thai experience.
Now, thanks to a new recipe book by travel publisher Lonely Planet, you and your loved ones can cook the best local dishes from all over Thailand in your own home.
The book, Thailand: From The Source, has been compiled by Americans Austin Bush and Mark Wiens who emigrated to Thailand several years ago after falling in love with the country and everything it has to offer — including its cuisine.
The dishes featured are recipes that have been perfected and practised by generations of locals in Bangkok and the northern, northeastern, central and southern areas of the country.
Plus there are basic recipes for the likes of sticky rice and crispy-fried garlic that can be thrown in as additions to several meals.
The recipes are designed to work in the context of a traditional Thai meal, in which a number of dishes are served at the centre of the table for all to share.
Each recipe has a high-resolution photograph of the final product so you know what your meal should look like and there are pictures of the cooks and settings that they’re cooking in to give you more of an idea of where the recipes came from.
This book would be great if you want to try out good, local recipes from a part of Thailand outside your own, or if you want to give a gift to someone who lives outside of Thailand but, like the authors, loves Thai food and culture.
Southern Thai dry pork curry cooked by Khun Supphachai ‘Joke’ Roethong of Nong Joke, Krabi.
