The distinctive spices of Thai food - chilli, coriander, ginger, lemon grass - are as much a part of Thai life as the festivals, and this beautiful book is a celebration of the nation's culture and cuisine. Thailand has enjoyed many cultural and religious influences and these are incorporated into their festivities. They celebrate New Year on April 13, but they also acknowledge Christian New Year and Chinese Lunar New Year. Create a nourishing Chicken and Straw Mushroom Curry for the beginning of Buddhist Lent or include Sweet Pork and Fried Rice in your celebration of the end of the rains! Have Golden Threads, an import from the Portuguese traders, for New Year or a Muslim Curry to commemorate the Battle of Don Chedi. In this fascinating little gem of a book you soon realise that there is so much more to their cuisine than a Green Thai Curry.