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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looks good so far, May 27, 2009
This review is from: Iron Chef Chen's Knockout Chinese (Paperback)
I've read a lot of reviews for cookbooks before where people complain the book is more a photographer's dream rather than an informative cooking tool. This book does have a lot of pictures, and is relatively short, however the pictures are with purpose. The recipes, for the most part, have step by step illustrated instructions and tips for creating the dishes.
If you don't like seafood, consider the source and realize this may not be for you. However, if you're interested in the Iron Chef's technique and use of sauces, this will be an interesting insight, oh and liking seafood will help (octopus etc).
For American's like myself, if you don't know where to buy things like broad beans, octopus, fermented black beans, and a wide variety of various mushrooms, then you will have a difficult time with some of these recipes. It seems the grocery list consists of, surprise, surprise, foods found in Japan and areas preparing Sichuan dishes, so keep that in mind if you have to have every ingredient exactly the same to make the recipes.
There are only about 70 recipes, so if you're expecting a compendium, sorry. It looks like it will be a lot of fun to prepare the dishes, and can't wait to taste a little of the Iron Chef's creations without actually having to buy a plane ticket to Japan.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great insight into Chensan's cooking style, August 31, 2009
This review is from: Iron Chef Chen's Knockout Chinese (Paperback)
I've been using this book written in Japanese language for a while and I just purchased this one in English language. Great translation job.
His famous mapo doufu is a food made in heaven. It is sooo good with plain white rice. I've used many of his recipes from this book and they are all very good to excellent.
He does use seafood that may not be easily found in the western grocery store, but you can certainly sub other items, such as chicken, shrimp, etc.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections, June 13, 2009
This review is from: Iron Chef Chen's Knockout Chinese (Paperback)
'Iron Chef', a contest between two competing professional chefs charged with making a minimum of five dishes from a featured ingredient, is one of the most popular culinary shows on television. One of those 'Iron Chefs' is Chen Kenichi, who in "Iron Chef Chen's Knockout Chinese" has compiled a beautifully illustrated, step-by-step, cornucopia of recipes showcasing more than sixty recipes that are as palate pleasing as they are appetite satisfying. These are dishes suitable for all dining occasions ranging from quick meals and light lunches, to seasonal stir-fries and Chinese desserts, from side dishes to fried rice and soups, from creative entries from left-overs to fruit dishes and more! Now anyone can turn out quality meals featuring White Fish Sashimi; Spicy Eggplant Donburi; Stir-fried Bean Sprouts with Garlic Chives; Honey-Coated Fried Bananas; Coconut-Simmered Apples; and Braised Spiny Lobster with Chili Sauce. Of special note are the instructions for making soup stock. Enhanced with as Afterword and a Reference Guide, "Iron Chef Chen's Knockout Chinese" is a highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections.
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