Easy Chinese Recipes: Family Favorites from Dim Sum to Kung Pao [Hardcover]

Recipe books can vary so much. I've had many recipe books over the years with Chinese recipes but none have captured me and indeed the essence of Chinese cuisine like this one. I've been following the author Bee's blog (rasamalaysia dot com) for a few years now and have been thoroughly pleased with every recipe I have tried from there. The trend continues with this excellent book. Her approach to writing is so accessible giving the history of a recipe from her perspective, whether it be mum's home cooking or secrets learnt from the local restaurateur, followed by easy instructions, beautiful photography and background information on the more detailed ingredients and techniques needed. This all makes for a very satisfying experience for me as not only can I present a beautiful dish to my family and friends but I have something to say about it other than "it's from a book".

The book follows on from the blog offering many new recipes unique to the book covering fun things from bubble tea to every day breakfast items like green onion pancakes (or an appetiser for more Western folk!) to exotic dishes like Fish Fragrant Aubergine (''''). Every recipe is in true Chinese style with delicately balanced flavours and textures nothing like the gloopy mess we often get from takeaways and restaurants in the UK. But, the book is not lacking familiar items like sesame prawn toast or BBQ ribs or sweet and sour pork; indeed these and other classic options like them are all included in the book with superior quality recipes.

The acid test with cooking authentic Chinese food is always 'do Chinese people like it'? Having lived at an international school community for three years surrounded by many Chinese, Taiwanese, Malaysian etc. I have had the opportunity to cook for many of them. And, of all the recipes I've tried on them, Bee's recipes have always been their favourite.

Finally a mention for all the excellent and illustrated background information in this book, not found on the website, which teaches about all the staples of cuisine like soy sauce, rice wine etc. Photos of what they look like so you can find them in your local Chinese supermarket. Techniques for those little details like 'how to make king prawns soft and bouncy' and how to make meat super soft just like you'd find in a £30/head restaurant.

I love this book, and the way it has equipped me to explore the fascinating world of Chinese cuisine and bless many of my friends Eastern and Western alike with wonderful welcoming food. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed!

I have always liked eating Chinese food and wondered what it would be like to cook it by myself.
An Asian friend recommended the author's website, and I was really pleased with the recipes I found there.
Then I decided to purchase the book to take it a bit further.

The author did a great job: nice layout, easy to read, a picture for each recipe, many techniques explained (with pictures!), all the special ingredients presented, etc.

Publishers and cooking books writers, please pay attention: this is how it's done!
You don't need to cram 500 recipes in a book, with no pictures at all, small fonts, and horrible layout.

This book is as close as it gets to perfection, I enjoyed reading/discovering the recipes.

Some clever tips in here on how to prepare food. Very easy to follow and the results are tasty! This book is worth it for the meat and veg prep tips alone. I found it inspiring many thanks to author Bee Yinn Low.