Amazon.com Review
Chinese cuisine--whether it's the refined Cantonese, spicy Szechwan, or one of the lesser-known styles of the other provinces--places an emphasis on fresh ingredients and boiling or quick stir-frying. These practices make Chinese food not only delicious, but one of today's more popular healthful methods of cooking. It is also remarkably simple to prepare and, with a minimum investment of time and equipment, you can easily present many excellent dishes right in your own home. The Essential Chinese Cookbook offers 50 classic Chinese recipes, each with easy-to-follow directions and a sequence of helpful photos depicting the process. You'll find many of your old favorites here, such as Peking Duck, Szechwan Noodles, Spring Rolls, Hot and Sour Soup, and Broccoli with Shrimp. This "essential" list of recipes may be interpreted by some as a bit tame, but these dishes are undeniably tasty and popular for a reason. The book includes a useful section that introduces the most common Chinese ingredients, as well as instructions on preparing traditional garnishes and sauces. It's not the most adventuresome Chinese cookbook, but it's an excellent jumping-off point for anyone seeking to add a familiar touch of Asian flavor to their menu. --George Laney
