Pad thai, pho soup, bao: the cuisines of South East Asia have ardent enthusiasts far beyond their native lands, & are now among the most consumed dishes in the world. But the familiar take-away menus & thriving specialist shops rest atop a compelling history of food, culture & modernity, which award-winning photographer & writer Michael Freeman explores in this comprehensive & beautifully illustrated guide to South-east Asian cuisine. ” Ricelands” takes the reader on a colourful & engaging tour through the richly layered food cultures of the region. Travelling across the landscapes of Thail&, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia & the Philippines, Freeman explores the origins & defining characteristics of their respective cuisines, & their evolution as they entered foreign cultures. From birds` nests gathered in Thailand`s coastal caves to the less familiar dishes of Burma & Cambodia, to the pungent durian fruit (and Westerners` often aghast reactions), the author unearths unexpected treasures & tantalizing facts about Southeast Asia & its social history. The book also examines the cooking techniques, complex spices, & agricultural economies that underpin the countries` food cultures, & considers how the informal nature of southeast Asian eating fits into the rhythms of modern-day living. A vibrantly illustrated & wide-ranging study, ” Ricelands” takes us into the heart of tropical Asia & the delicious foods that define it the world over.