Pok Pok. Food and stories from the streets, homes, and roadside restaurants of Thailand - Andy Ricker

A
guide to bold, authentic Thai cooking from Andy Ricker, the chef and
owner of the wildly popular and widely lauded Pok Pok restaurants.

After
decades spent traveling throughout Thailand, Andy Ricker wanted to
bring the country's famed street food stateside. In 2005 he opened Pok
Pok, so named for the sound a pestle makes when it strikes a clay
mortar, in an old shack in a residential neighborhood of Portland,
Oregon. Ricker's traditional take on Thai food soon drew the notice of
the New York Times and Gourmet magazine, establishing him
as a culinary star. Now, with his first cookbook, Ricker tackles head-on
the myths that keep people from making Thai food at home: that it's too
spicy for the American palate or too difficult to source ingredients.

Ricker shares more than fifty of the most popular recipes from Thailand and his Pok Pok restaurants-ranging from Khao Soi Kai (Northern Thai curry noodle soup with chicken) to Som Tam Thai (Central Thai-style papaya salad) to Pok Pok's now-classic (and obsessed-over) Fish-Sauce Wings. But Pok Pok is more than just a collection of favorite recipes: it is also a master course in Thai cooking from one of the most passionate and knowledgeable authorities on the subject. Clearly written, impeccably tested recipes teach you how to source ingredients; master fundamental Thai cooking techniques and skills; understand flavor profiles that are unique to Southeast Asian cuisine; and combine various dishes to create show-stopping, well-balanced meals for family and friends.

Filled with thoughtful, colorful essays about Ricker's travels and experiences, Pok Pok is not only a definitive resource for home cooks, but also a celebration of the rich history, vibrant culture, and unparalleled deliciousness of Thai food.