Meet the chilli. It's a fiery little fruit. From humble origins in a tucked-away corner of Latin America, it has found its way into the food of more than half the world. Intrepid food writer Kay Plunkett-Hogge is on its trail, following the chilli from the Americas to Europe, and along the spice routes to the Middle East, India, China and beyond. With more than 120 delicious recipes from around the world, including Thai, Indian and Mexican favourites, plus tantalising desserts with a difference, Kay showcases the chilli's extraordinary versatility, celebrates its rich and nomadic history, and discovers the secrets of its success.

'Kay Plunkett-Hogge's cooking and knowledge of Thai cuisine is second to none. I dream about her food. Thank God she's written this book.' - Diana Henry

'This book makes me hungry. Truly a beautiful, personal, delicious and easy-to-use guide to Thai cuisine full of stories and tips that make the food jump off the page and onto the plate.' - Ian Kittichai

'Wise, witty, and wonderfully written, Baan sits alongside David Thompson's Thai Food and Andy Ricker's Pok Pok as one of the great English language works on regional Thai cookery.' - Tom Parker-Bowles

'Kay's true home is Thailand. Rarely have I met someone with such a love of a country, its people and their food. This book, so aptly named Baan, is the result of her journey through the Kingdom and many kitchens. It is home cooking, the true source of the best of Thai food. Kay recounts the charm, delicious fun and spirit of Thai kitchens in this book. I am captivated.' - David Thompson

'Baan' means the hearth, the home, the community, the place where you come from and this new book by Kay Plunkett-Hogge emulates just that feeling from Thai cuisine.

Born and raised in Bangkok, Kay spoke Thai before she spoke English and has spent more than half her life in Thailand. Baan is a true homage to her childhood, to the delicious recipes that she was raised on and a cuisine and country that she loves.

Baan features over 120 recipes that Kay has collected from all over Thailand from friends, acquaintances and street-stall holders, all gathered over around 30 years of travel, and all of them tried and tested back in London. Some are familiar, some unusual, and some so regional they capture a distinct sliver of Thailand and all its unique character. Crucially, all of them are well within the capabilities of the competent and curious cook. Kay demystifies Thai food, providing clear and concise recipes and revealing the shortcuts, kitchen hacks and ingredient substitutions that make delicious Thai cookery achievable in an ordinary Western home.

Chapters include How To Cook Rice - so central to Thai food and so easy to get right, whether steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice, all secrets are revealed Snacks and Aharn Len; Yums, Laarps and Tums; Soups; Stir-fried and Deepfried; Curries, Stews and Braises; Grilled, Steamed and Baked; Relishes and Dipping Sauces; and Drinks and Desserts.

Baan guides the reader through the fragrant world of Thai cooking - dishes of profound and gracious subtlety - onto a culinary adventure all within the comfort of their own kitchen.

'Kay can cook - but she can shake a damn fine cocktail too.' - Heston Blumenthal Kay Plunkett-Hogge demonstrates that entertaining need not be stressful with more than 90 deliciously simple recipes for cocktails and finger food that can easily be scaled up and made in advance. Kay draws on her own party-planning experience to help you be the perfect host, with handy tips on everything from guest list to painless clean-up. Features favourite recipes from three of Kay's previous books, including the award-winning Make Mine A Martini, as well as new creations such as Mini Cornbreads with Bacon, Chilli and Cheese, Smoked Mackerel Pate and Scandinavian Gloegg.

WHY GOOD MANNERS MATTER

Kay Plunkett-Hogge and Debora Robertson have honed their combined social wisdom into a warm and witty guide to navigating modern life with manners. They have done the fieldwork, made the mistakes and committed enough embarrassing faux pas for two lifetimes in the hope that you don't have to!

Their funny, frank handbook is the cheat sheet to every social situation -whether at home or work; public spaces and shops; births; weddings; holidays; eating out; how to party; digital decorum; office etiquette and even how to manage deaths and grief - this is your right-hand manual to styling out life with a modicum of grace.

Good manners are not about knowing what to wear for drinks at six, being pretentious or catching people out with some mysterious salad-fork-related regulation. In essence, modern manners are simply organised kindness, and Kay and Debora will show you how being in possession of them will enhance the quality of your everyday life and that of the people around you.

With illustrations by Denise Dorrance.