Veggie Blog

Book Description
Real Thai has gone vegetarian! Everyone loves Thai food, but it’s not easy to find truly meatless dishes. Thai cooking expert Nancie McDermott has developed inventive variations on traditional recipes, providing health-conscious cooks with a repertoire of meatless dishes that captures the vibrant spirit of Thailand. A helpful glossary introduces readers to the seemingly mysterious yet widely available ingredients and equipment used in Thai cooking and offers tips for finding or substituting them. With an emphasis on the classic techniques, ingredients, and flavors of Thai cuisine, this groundbreaking cookbook provides one hundred delicious recipes for everyday meals and special occasions.

What is this book about?

The description says Thai cooking expert Nancie McDermott has developed vegetarian variations on traditional Thai recipes, for people who want truly meatless dishes.

Is it suitable for beginners?

The description does not say whether the book is aimed at beginners. It only mentions the glossary of ingredients and equipment.

What recipes can I expect?

The book has one hundred recipes for everyday meals and special occasions, with an emphasis on classic techniques, ingredients and flavors of Thai cuisine.

Who wrote it?

Nancie McDermott is named as the author in the title.

What will I learn from it?

A glossary introduces Thai ingredients and equipment and offers tips on finding or substituting them.

Everything above comes from the book description on its Amazon page.

How does coconut milk fit into a healthy diet?

Coconut milk gives Thai curries their silkiness, and it is high in saturated fat. The Harvard types of fat page lists coconut oil among the tropical oils high in saturated fat. That does not forbid it, but it suggests using it as part of a pattern rich in vegetables, and choosing a light version or a smaller amount if you eat curries often.

Fresh herbs, lime, chilli, garlic and ginger add flavour without much salt, so you can taste the dish before adding extra fish-sauce alternatives or soy sauce. The WHO fact sheet on salt reduction sets a ceiling for adults of 5 grams of salt daily, about a teaspoon.

If you have high cholesterol or heart disease, ask your doctor how much saturated fat suits you.

Related on this blog: Antioxidant Foods: Why Colorful Plants Beat Supplements and Eating to Lower Cholesterol: Oats, Fruit, Beans and Healthy Fats

Book: Real Vegetarian Thai by Nancie McDermott
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