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While Susanna Foo claims to be "North America's Finest Chinese Cook" on the cover of her cookbook,
The Zagat Restaurant Guide gives this claim some support by consistently listing Susanna Foo's as one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. Foo is known for both the fine quality of her cooking and for her eclectic approach; recipes in her book,
Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine, demonstrate why this is so--imagine Pineapple Salsa, to be served with dim sum, and Grilled Tuna with Jalapeño Pepper Puree. Even traditional recipes such as black bean sauce are presented according to Foo's taste. Information about techniques and ingredients can be exceptionally interesting, and Foo's personal reminiscences, which are scattered through the book, add to the pleasure of reading.
From Publishers Weekly
Highly regarded owner/chef of the Philadelphia restaurant Susanna's, the author claims a unique culinary development, from a childhood in Inner Mongolia to her education in Taiwan in eight regional Chinese cuisines and finally to training at the Culinary Institute of America, where she learned to incorporate ingredients like portobello mushrooms and extra virgin olive oil into her repertoire. The recipes?for which "freshness, simplicity, and the preservation of the uniqueness of each ingredient" is always the aim?are organized by course (Soups; Desserts) and ingredients (Vegetables; Fish and Seafood) and preceded by helpful, anecdotal introductions. Opening with "Dim Sum and Other Small Delights," Foo offers meticulous instructions on the surprisingly simple preparation of Chinese dumplings. Innovative, less expected recipes are found throughout, e.g., Jade Green Fried Rice with Crabmeat, which gains its rich color from shredded, diced spinach. Entrees are dazzling and streamlined: Prawns with Poached Pears and Curry Sauce features shrimp marinated in vodka and egg whites with a subtly flavored curry sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. Sidebars on everything from taro root to lotus describe each ingredient and detail its uses and cultural history. For both novices and aficionados, this is a splendid invitation to make Chinese food at home. Homestyle Book Club selection; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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