Tsunami Restaurant Cookbook, The [Hardcover]

Benjamin Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2005

In this collection of over 150 recipes, Tsunami Restaurant chef/owner Ben Smith displays his love for "clean, uncluttered presentations" and "crisp, identifiable flavors." Influenced by his culinary experiences from San Francisco to the South Pacific, Chef Smith includes a myriad of largely seafood-based Pacific Rim dishes and new twists on Latin American foods, as well as a nod to his Tennessee roots with some innovative Southern-inspired recipes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When late '90s Pacific Rim cuisine appears in a cookbook for a popular Memphis restaurant, it reveals the extent to which fusion food has transformed the country's gastronomic landscape. This cookbook has a pleasant naiveté, taking the reader back to a time before wasabi mashed potatoes could be found on diner menus. Smith delightedly mixes Thai lemongrass, Malaysian sambal and Japanese sake to create a spicy-sweet version of the oh-so-American Oysters Rockefeller. Wasabi peas are tossed with noodles, an "Asian vegetable" medley (shredded zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and red bell peppers) and topped with salmon seared in olive oil. Despite the Asian bent, French terminology (salmon paillard? Potato batonettes?) frequently appears in the text. For an additional schizophrenic twist, chipotles infuse a few recipes with Southwestern flavors: Calamari with Chipotle Aioli, delicious Chipotle Shrimp with Mango Salsa, and Oyster and Corn Chowder with Chipotle Croutons. The often tasty recipes are easy to follow; step-by-step pictures show the process of julienning vegetables and filleting fish. This is not a cookbook for purists, but novice cooks who want to play with new ingredients will have a lot of fun.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Smith’s style. . . is easy to read and follow, and most importantly, makes you want to try the recipes." -- --LampLighter magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (October 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589802829
• ISBN-13: 978-1589802827
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,507,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A collection of nearly 150 recipes based on or inspired by the Pacific Rim cuisine, November 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tsunami Restaurant Cookbook, The (Hardcover)

The Tsunami Restaurant Cookbook: A Wave Of Flavors Inspired By The Pacific Rim is a collection of nearly 150 recipes based on or inspired by the Pacific Rim cuisine. Chef Ben Smith shares his culinary creations in a simple, easy-to-understand style; each recipe features step-by- step instructions and a full color photograph of the dish. From Tuna Sashimi to Spicy Shrimp Salad to Miso-Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Mango Curd Tart and more, The Tsunami Restaurant Cookbook offers a veritable feast of island flavor.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite, April 1, 2008

By 

King - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tsunami Restaurant Cookbook, The (Hardcover)

This cookbook is truly a gift. While I have the restaurant right here in my hometown, I am always excited to reach out for this book and start flipping through...The recipes are straightforward and they yield restaurant-quality (not aesthetically, of course) meals. While some ingredients are more unique and not found in more mainstream grocery stores, you will do well to search them out; there are few cookbooks that provide recipes for more rewarding meals. Many of the recipes have become staple meals in my house, and each time they are a joy to consume. If you enjoy fish, you will love this cookbook. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is reading this now. There are great desserts, meat, and shellfish recipes as well. The appetizers, main courses, salads, and soups are all great. A+ to Ben and his staff.

And if you get a chance to come to Memphis, don't hesitate for one second to come here. Located in a really neat area of Memphis, Tsunami is by and far my favorite restaurant in the city. I guess you know where I stand! I have not been disappointed once since I began my regular visits to Tsunami. I'm a devoted fan and a regular and I am definitely not the only one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic cookbook!, February 15, 2010

By 

Terry L. Hamm "Kikki" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tsunami Restaurant Cookbook, The (Hardcover)

This cookbook comes from my favorite restaurant in Memphis and this is my favorite cookbook in the kitchen. The recipes are creative and delicious, while being appropriate for cooking at home. I have fixed a number of things out of this book and love them all - they all turn out beautifully! These are recipes that are served in the restaurant, so it is a lot of fun to reproduce some of my favorite dishes at home and have them turn out so beautifully. Additionally the book is full of beautiful photographs and plenty of notes, stories, and tales from Ben. If you like creative foods with an Asian flair, this is a must! Some of my recent favorites to cook have been the Sea Bass with Soy Beurre Blanc (on the cover), Steaks with Chile Butter, Fish Tostadas, Chipotle Shrimp, the ice creams and sorbets, and the Banana lumpia. YUMMY!