Asia: The Beautiful Cookbook

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely, Superb!
Review: Having lived in Asia for years, and having a highly particular taste for authentic flavors, I can tell you without reservation that the "Asia, the Beautiful Cookbook" is the most perfect for authentic savory Asian cuisine. Novice cooks can easily obtain exquisite Asian flavors successfully. Experienced chefs can use the receipes for launches into their own creations or cusine nouveau. The beautiful photograpy and graphic design will make you want to keep it on your coffee or reading table for culinary inspiration, and visual pleasure.

I am very picky and critical. I have used the "Asia, the Beautiful Cookbook" since it was first published. I find no flaws in this Asian culinary creation text. I find no flaws in any of the "....., the Beautiful Cookbook" series. Worth every cent that I paid for them. (No, I'm not in any way associated with the publishers or Amazon sales departments.)

P.S. Say, how about getting the "Mexico, the Beautiful Cookbook" back into print too!

Rating:
Summary: Buy the Hardcover version
Review: Having lived in Asia for years, and having a highly particular taste for authentic flavors, I can tell you without reservation that the "Asia, the Beautiful Cookbook" is the most perfect for authentic savory Asian cuisine. Novice cooks can easily obtain exquisite Asian flavors successfully. Experienced chefs can use the receipes for launches into their own creations or cusine nouveau. The beautiful photograpy and graphic design will make you want to keep it on your coffee or reading table for culinary inspiration, and visual pleasure.

I am very picky and critical. I have used the "Asia, the Beautiful Cookbook" since it was first published. I find no flaws in this Asian culinary creation text. I find no flaws in any of the "....., the Beautiful Cookbook" series. Worth every cent that I paid for them. (No, I'm not in any way associated with the publishers or Amazon sales departments.)

P.S. Say, how about getting the "Mexico, the Beautiful Cookbook" back into print too!

Rating:
Summary: Light on Korean dishes
Review: This is a beautifully put-together book with a number of great recipes. My rating is simply due to the fact that there are VERY few Korean recipes in this book. I mistakenly believed that since Korea is second in the list of countries covered, a significant number of recipes would be included. This is an excellent sampler for anyone wanting to experiment with the dishes of a variety of countries, but don't buy it if your interest is in the cooking of a specific country.

Rating:
Summary: Buy the Hardcover version
Review: This is an excellent cookbook. We have enjoyed EVERY recipe we have made - my Chinese father-in-law (who politely overlooks my need to follow recipes) declares many of the dishes from China, "authentic." The pictures are fabulous and the historical information about each country/region is very interesting. This book offers a delicious "peek" at select culinary delights of each culture represented. The hardcover version rates 5 stars - the paperback is the same oversized format/dimensions as the hardcover, making it VERY cumbersome. There is virtually no way to store nor use the book; hence, the 3 stars for the paperback.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous in many ways
Review: This is without a doubt one of the best "practical" cookbooks I have ever seen. It also offers spectacular views of the lands, people and especially, food of the region.

Each nation has an individual section, starting with a general introduction as to the factors that influence the cuisine of that particular land. Interspersed with the colorful recipes are incredibly luscious landscapes. Many of these photographs are of museum quality.

I have made many dishes from every country and all turned out well. The Indonesian section was a suprise and the Nasy Goren was a hit for a dinner party. The Korean beef, the Thai lime beef, all the Chinese food - everything looked and tasted sumptous.