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Thailand: The Cookbook Hardcover – May 5, 2014
The food of Thailand is renowned the world over for its distinctive blend of hot, sour, sweet, and salty flavors, and Thailand: The Cookbook is the definitive guide to this much-loved cuisine.
Containing 500 recipes ranging from simple snacks and drinks to curries, stir-fries, and elaborate desserts, Thailand: The Cookbook shares the familiar―Massaman Curry, Phat Thai―as well as the less familiar―Pandan Pudding, Dragon Fruit Frappe―dishes of this vibrant and diverse country.
A series of introductory essays explore the fascinating history of Thai cuisine, as well as the remarkable regional differences. Helpful guidance on unusual ingredients and essential cooking techniques, meanwhile, guarantee that anyone can cook their favorite Thai dishes the authentic way.
Three years in the making, and involving exhaustive research and travel, Thailand: the cookbook is the work of author and celebrated photographer Jean-Pierre Gabriel. His breathtaking images of the Thai landscape, people, and food offer an unprecedented insight into Thai food culture.
Comprehensive and beautiful, Thailand: The Cookbook is for cooks of all abilities and anyone who wants to experience the real Thailand.
- Print length528 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPhaidon Press
- Publication dateMay 5, 2014
- Dimensions7.38 x 1.75 x 11 inches
- ISBN-10071486529X
- ISBN-13978-0714865294
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From the Publisher
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Sweet Glutinous Rice in Banana Leaf
Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus soaking time
Cooking time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Makes 20
Soak the rice in a bowl of water overnight or for at least 3 hours, then drain, rinse under cold running water, and drain again. Soak the beans in another bowl of water for 2 hours, then drain, rinse, and put into a pan.
Pour in enough water to cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 50–60 minutes or until softened. Meanwhile, mix the coconut milk, sugar, and salt together in a bowl, then strain through cheesecloth (muslin) into a clean bowl.
Combine the rice and sweetened coconut milk in a wok over medium heat and stir continuously for about 10 minutes until the rice starts to cook. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Peel the bananas and cut in half lengthwise. Lay a banana leaf on a flat work surface.
Place a tablespoon of rice and 10 black beans in the center of the leaf. Cover with 2 halves of banana and top with a final spoonful of rice. Cover the filling with the sides of the leaf, fold over the ends, and secure with string to form a package. Repeat until all the filling has been used.
Steam the packages in a steamer for 40-45 minutes, then serve.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (1 lb 2 oz/500 g) glutinous (sticky) rice
- 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz/100 g) dried black beans
- 2 cups (18 oz/500 ml) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz/100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 10 ripe small bananas
- banana leaves, cut into 7–8-inch/18–20-cm-wide strips
The definitive book on Thai cuisine, with more than 500 recipes
Comprehensive and beautiful, Thailand: The Cookbook is for cooks of all abilities and anyone who wants to experience the real Thailand
This comprehensive volume offers an unprecedented look at Thai culinary history, and explains ingredients and techniques
Author Jean-Pierre Gabriel spent three years travelling to collect recipes that range from simple snacks and drinks to curries, stir-fry dishes and desserts
Editorial Reviews
Review
'An unrivaled culinary record.' – Condé Nast Traveller
'The ultimate encyclopedia of Thai cuisine.' – Smithsonian
'Jean Pierre Gabriel's beautiful and ambitious Thailand: The Cookbook extracts 500 recipes from the country’s most seasoned home cooks. Your coffee table will thank you.' – Bon Appétit
'French author and photographer Jean Pierre Gabriel traveled in Thailand for three years to produce Phaidon's latest masterpiece, Thailand: The Cookbook. From street food to home cooking, it's a celebration of what makes Thai food culture truly special.' – Tasting Table
'Gabriel's luscious photos capture the beauty of Thailand's people, food, and landscape and rounds out this stellar compilation. Armchair travelers and cooks at all levels will welcome this remarkable book. . . a beautiful collection.' – Publishers Weekly
'Features obscure regional recipes ... fods you won't likely see on any North American menu.' – Globe and Mail
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Phaidon Press (May 5, 2014)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 528 pages
- ISBN-10 : 071486529X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0714865294
- Item Weight : 4.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.38 x 1.75 x 11 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #340,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the recipes in the book authentic and well-received. They appreciate the comprehensive content, including a glossary with botanical names. The directions are clear and easy to follow. However, opinions differ on whether the Thai names are included or not, with some finding them useful while others feel they should be anglicized.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the recipes in the book authentic and delicious. They appreciate the breadth and depth of recipes, as well as the good glossary of ingredients. Readers also mention that the book provides a great education in Thai cooking with regional dishes and unique ingredients.
"...There's a lot of information to read within without being distracting to the recipes, but please read the prefaces and introductions...." Read more
"As a Thai, I was amazed by how authentic the recipe in this book are...." Read more
"So many recipes look good… not brave enough to try the insect ones tho :D Only complaint I have is the organization is a little odd...." Read more
"...The book has few pictures but very good recipes that seem to be very authentic. Highly recommended for any cooking enthusiasts of thai food lovers...." Read more
Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book.
"...The book has few pictures but very good recipes that seem to be very authentic. Highly recommended for any cooking enthusiasts of thai food lovers...." Read more
"...a friend who owns a small Thai restaurant, and she proclaimed it very authentic, and was amazed by the presence of the insect recipes...." Read more
"Absolutely the best Thai cookbook - hands down. All authentic dishes with easy to understand instructions...." Read more
"Comprehensive and authentic. The Thai cooking bible." Read more
Customers find the book's content useful for reference. They appreciate the comprehensive glossary that includes botanical names.
"Good for reference, but difficult to actually use." Read more
"...A delightful read and wonderful photos. Excellent glossary which includes botanical names - extremely useful to find the “right” plant to grow." Read more
"Comprehensive and authentic. The Thai cooking bible." Read more
Customers find the directions clear and easy to follow.
"...The directions were clear and easy to follow...." Read more
"...All authentic dishes with easy to understand instructions...." Read more
"Wonderful recipes that are easy to follow. Nice hardback edition. Well made and binded very well...." Read more
Customers have different views on the Thai names. Some find it great that they are included in Thai and the glossary includes botanical names. Others mention there are no anglicized Thai names, like Pad Thai, Pad see ew, or other iconic dishes.
"...Excellent glossary which includes botanical names - extremely useful to find the “right” plant to grow." Read more
"...The only issue to point out is no anglicized version of the Thai dish names - there are translations of the names and the name in Thai script- but..." Read more
"...Great that they included Thai names in Thai though (just can’t read it without learning Thai hahaha)...." Read more
"...Can you imagine : NO listing for Phad Thai - an iconic dish!" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019I've been collecting Phaidon's cookbooks based on different countries' cultural cuisines, and this book is no exception. There's a lot of information to read within without being distracting to the recipes, but please read the prefaces and introductions. The information on these pages do explain why they collected certain recipes and not others. There are recipes I doubt I'll find elsewhere because they sought them out with the help of the locals. Pretty much all the ingredients are readily available via local Asian grocers and online stores, including Amazon and ImportFoods.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024bought this for my new girlfriend it’s so great!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2014As a Thai, I was amazed by how authentic the recipe in this book are. There are multiple Thai dishes in the book that you will not be able to find at Thai restaurants in the US. Some of the dishes are very regional that it is even hard to find in other parts of Thailand. The directions were clear and easy to follow.
The reason that I buy Thai cookbooks that written by foreign writers is I felt like the foreign writers have an advantage over Thai writer when it comes to getting authentic recipe from the locals. The locals are usually more comfortable sharing the recipe with foreigners. And so far this is the best Thai cookbook I have in my collection.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2024So many recipes look good… not brave enough to try the insect ones tho :D Only complaint I have is the organization is a little odd. I’m fine with using the english name as Im not familiar with the traditional ones and I’m ok with them being grouped up into categories. It’s in the categories that a little odd. some recipes have different varieties for the different regions they’re from but often they aren’t together. It took me a bit to realize Id gotten ingredients for one version but now was looking at another. Worked much better after that lol. So much yummy to look forward to.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2015Awesome book! This book a thai cooking bible that basically covers everything you need to know to cook thai food. I do feel the recipes are very simple and summarized so it could be hard to use at first. The book has few pictures but very good recipes that seem to be very authentic. Highly recommended for any cooking enthusiasts of thai food lovers. Writing this review made me crave some Pad thai and mango sticky rice.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023My husband love this book
- Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2020Gorgeous book, both as an addition to your counter and the quality of the recipes. If you love authentic Thai food like I do it’s an easy buy. This book contains recipes I haven’t found elsewhere.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2018Wonderful pictures. The book covers a very large selection of recipes from all over Thailand. From vegetables to meats through pupae worms and some uncommon animals. The book is not divided by ingredients, but by cooking techniques. I believe that recipes are authentic, but some ingredients might be difficult to find depending where you live.
Top reviews from other countries
- JasonReviewed in Canada on January 10, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived in Perfect condition
Was so impressed to find a brand new copy of this out of print kitchen essential. Arrived before due date and in excellent condition
- DafReviewed in Spain on May 4, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Vert good book, not recommended for vegetarians
Beautiful book with very good and a lot of recipes. Not recommended for vegetarians as most of the recipes are with fish or meat
-
Davide PrampoliniReviewed in Italy on January 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Regalo
Un regalo perfetto per un amico appassionato di cucina etnica
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Sergio fontes ninoReviewed in Mexico on February 14, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Libor cocina
Excelente libro de cocina, bien explicado y muy buena calidad de impresion
- yorkshire lassReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book of a nations food journey.
What a lovley book I have purchased, a true reflection of a country and its food. It also reflects the countries regional tastes and recipes whist traveling from North to South and all I between. Its not just a great cook book it's a great reflection of a whole nation depicted by food. I will be trying some recipes from this book, and I would reccomend to anyone who has not only an interest in the country but an interest in its food.
The only this I would say to its detriment is that it doesn't come with a dust cover. It is such a beautiful book, that if you use in the kitchen it will get spotted with whatever you are making. So I will make up my own to keep the book clean and splash free.