Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking [Hardcover]

Eileen Yin-Fei Lo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2009

This new masterwork of Chinese cuisine showcases acclaimed chef Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's decades of culinary virtuosity. A series of lessons build skill, knowledge, and confidence as Lo guides the home cook step by step through the techniques, ingredients, and equipment that define Chinese cuisine. With more than 100 classic recipes and technique illustrations throughout, Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking makes the glories of this ancient cuisine utterly accessible. Stunning color photography reveals the treasures of old and new China, from the zigzagging alleys of historical Guangzhou to the bustle of city centers and faraway Chinatowns, as well as wonderful ingredients and gorgeous finished dishes. Step-by-step brush drawings illustrate Chinese cooking techniques. This lavish volume takes its place as the Chinese cookbook of choice in the cook's library.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yin-Fei Lo's latest cookbook is visually stunning—with brush calligraphy, decorative borders, and full-page color photographs—as well as a comprehensive and educational guide that fulfills the promise of how to master Chinese cooking. The Chinese-born author includes 150 classic recipes as well as essays exploring regional and cultural traditions and Chinese history. The Chinese pantry section is a must-read guide to ingredients, while illustrated techniques demystify processes including stuffing bean curd cakes and forming dumplings. Recipe notes lend expert advice for freezing, preparation, and serving. Divided into three parts that can be slightly confusing (The Market as Classroom; The Market Becomes Regional; The Market Particular), the book offers recipes including popular dishes such as pot stickers, spring rolls, and General Tso's chicken, in addition to more adventurous selections including sea cucumbers braised with steamed black mushrooms. This is a gorgeous holiday gift. (Jan.)
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Review

"The only thing better than having Eileen Lo cook for you is having her teach you how. She takes you on an incredible journey as you build your Chinese pantry and master the basics. Eileen carefully explains the steps of every important Chinese cooking technique, while also communicating a profound respect for flavors. She is the Chinese godmother every chef wishes he had." Daniel Boulud, Chef-Owner, Daniel, Caf Boulud, DB Bistro Moderne, Bar Boulud, DBGB Kitchen and Bar

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811859339
• ISBN-13: 978-0811859332
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Asian > Chinese

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Chinese Cuisine, January 8, 2010

By 

Eilie (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking (Hardcover)

This cookbook, like most of Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's cookbooks, is focused on authentic Chinese cuisine and is not a Chinese takeout cookbook. As the book does not cut corners, it includes the presence of some Chinese ingredients which may be difficult to find outside an Asian supermarket. For example, the cookbook includes a number of recipes which would be considered banquet or special occasion foods and include ingredients such as Shark's Fin and Bird's Nest. Nevertheless, this book does include a number of everyday recipes such as Ma Po Tofu and Hunan Hot and Spicy Shrimp, which can be made after a trip to the Asian foods aisle of most supermarkets, and provides useful recipes for Chinese sauces, such as XO sauce, which are usually purchased prepared. This cookbook is definitely geared toward people who are more accustomed to traditional Chinese cooking or are interested in how Chinese food is outside the local takeout place. Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking includes a number of beautiful pictures of the prepared food and provides a taste of what Chinese home cooking can really be like.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but probably not for the beginning chef who's learning how to make spagetti., January 3, 2010

By 

Serena Wu (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking (Hardcover)

I've been using this book for a month now, and I really enjoy it. Asian food in general can be intimidating because it requires ingredients that are almost impossible to find if you don't have access to an ethnic grocery or aren't willing to order some of the staples off the internet. I live in San Francisco and have access to both great Chinese stores and a lot of live produce both in italian markets and in Chinatown and this book has really helped me use obscure ingredients that otherwise I wouldn't know what to do with. And the receipes are REALLY GOOD.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My holy grail traditional chinese cookbook, January 13, 2010

By 

Rudy L. (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking (Hardcover)

First, she had me at shark's fin soup. I ordered this book and expecting elaborate chinese dishes and the author delivered. There were dishes that I was so excited to see and just cannot put the book down. The author does not take short cuts in any of her dishes. Though you may find some recipes that you can make on a typical weekday, there are also recipes that you may want to make on special occasions as well, such as Chinese New Year. For example, she shares the techniques on how to cook abalone, bird's nest, and she even shares recipes on the most popular dim sum dishes - the shrimp dumpling! I would say that if you enjoy cooking, you should want to at least have the knowledge of how to start from scratch. This book shares many recipes that I've always dreamed of learning. I'm glad I found this book!!!