Vatch's Thai Kitchen

Book excerpt: Vatch's Thai Kitchen is a delicious collection of the best of Thai food. The recipes have been written especially for people cooking in a Western kitchen, but using Thai ingredients widely available in supermarkets and Oriental stores. If you haven't cooked Thai before, start with easy nibbles to serve with drinks. Appetizers and party bites include Shrimp wrapped in Crisp Noodles and Vegetable Fritters with Sesame Seeds. Thailand is known for wonderful soups and salads, such as Hot and Sour Soup with Shrimp, Chicken Salad with Mint and Roasted Sesame Seeds, and Vegetable Salad with Peanut Dressing. Try one-dish meals such as favorite Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles), Spicy Duck with Sticky Rice, and Mee Krop (crisp deep-fried noodles). Delicious curries and pickles to tickle your taste buds are Green Curry with Shrimp, and Chicken Curry Noodle. Main dishes include Chicken Stir-fried with Ginger and Pineapple, and Shrimp with Chile and Basil. There are even sweet things and drinks such as Sticky Rice with Mango, Coconut Ice Cream, and Tropical Fruit Drinks.*Written by Vatcharin Bhumichitr, a highly respected chef and author of numerous bestselling books on Thai cooking.*Includes a useful list of websites and mail order sources to help track down suppliers of specialist ingredients and utensils.