The Pepper Thai Cookbook: Family Recipes from Everyone’s Favorite Thai Mom

“Cooking Thai food shouldn’t be scary,” writes Teigen, the mother of supermodel and fellow cookbook writer Chrissy Teigen, in her exciting debut. A Thai native who’s been cooking since childhood, Teigen presents more than 80 recipes, many of which are Thai staples such as chicken satay with peanut sauce, sticky caramelized shrimp lettuce wraps, and green papaya salad. Other recipes include Teigen’s creative riffs, such as pad Thai brussels sprouts and stir-fried spaghetti with chile jam and sun-dried tomatoes. Along with the recipes, Teigen shares fun stories of living with Chrissy; her husband, John Legend; and their children (she named a broccoli beef recipe after her granddaughter, Luna, because “It’s one of her favorite foods, but that is a gene she obviously inherited from John”), as well as stories of Thailand (“Growing up in Korat, my grandma would make these,” she reminisces as she introduces fried curry meatballs). Teigen thoughtfully provides plenty of substitutions for readers who may have trouble finding Thai ingredients, such as DIY dark soy sauce and toasted rice powder. This is a great guide for readers ready to take the plunge into Thai cooking. (Apr.)