The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen

Condition: BRAND NEW ISBN: 9780684847399 Author(s): Grace Young Format: Hardcover Language: English Year: 1999 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pages: 304

Description: The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen, with its 150 recipes culled from a lifetime of family meals and culinary instruction, is much more than a cookbook.The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen is a daughter's tributeA?a collection of personal memories of the philosophy and superstitions behind culinary traditions that have been passed down through her Cantonese family, in which each ingredient has its own singular importance, the preparation of a meal is part of the joy of life, and the proper creation of a dish can have a favorable influence on health and good fortune. Each chapter begins with its own engaging story, offering insight into the Chinese beliefs that surround life-enhancing and spiritually calming meals. In addition, personal family photographs illustrate these stories and capture the spirit of China before the Revolution, when Young's family lived in Canton, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The first part, A?Mastering the Fundamentals,A? provides instruction on the arts of steaming and stir-frying; the preparation of rice, panfried, and braised dishes; the proper selection of produce; and the fine arts of chopping and slicing. Part Two, A?The Art of Celebration,A? concentrates on the more elaborate, complex, and meaningful dishesA?such as Shark's Fin Soup and West Lake DuckA?that are usually made with rare ingredients, and sweets such as Water Chestnut Cake and Sesame Balls. The final part, A?Achieving Yin-Yang Harmony,A? explores the many Chinese beliefs about the healing properties of ginseng, gingko nuts, soybeans, dong quai, and the many vegetable and fruit soup preparations that balance and nourish the body. The stories and recipes combine to demonstrate the range of Cantonese cooking, from rich flavors and honored combinations to an overall appreciation of health, well-being, and prosperity. In a