Lucky Peach presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes

Chinese food, or rather American "Chinese" food has a certain mystique surrounding it's preparation and ingredients. The same can be said for really any type of Asian food, from Japanese to Thai or Vietnamese. This often equates to home cooks leaving it for the "professionals" at the ubiquitous strip-mall food joints, mall food courts, and street food vendors. What if I told you that armed with one book, and only one book, you could unlock the secrets behind the preparations of your favorite dishes, and do it from the comfort of your home? Oh and that the recipes easy to prepare. Sounds too good to be true, I know. Many have tried, few have prevailed, that is for sure. You could spend a lifetime studying volumes of information in search of that perfect Kung Pao chicken recipe. But thanks to the guys behind my favorite food magazine, Lucky Peach, we now have an accelerated course in Asian food 101 with their new publication "Lucky Peach presents 101 Easy Asian recipes."

I love the style of writing in this book. It is both informative and interesting to read, along with a hilarious sense of humor. For example, the back cover shows a finished dish with a text bubble exclaiming "100% inauthentic! The recipes are succinct, the steps pared down to the essentials. The book eschews deep-frying and sub-recipes. They spell out exactly what you will need as far as equipment (wok, rice cooker, maybe a mortar and pestle if you are fancy). Where the book really shines is within the descriptions of pantry items, and they include pictures to help when you are shopping at the mega mart and don't know your miso from your tamari. The pantry items are separated into three levels, from beginner to expert. Certain to impress your friends and family. 

The photography is excellent too, capturing the simplicity and deliciousness of each recipe effectively, and making you hungry all the while. Try the pesto ramen for a delicious and easy weeknight meal, or simmer a pot of hot and sour soup on a cold, rainy day. From breakfast to dessert, this book covers all of your favorites. So kick down for a $20 wok next time you are near a Chinatown (I bought mine in San Francisco - hand hammered, carbon steel that only gets better with use) or Amazon that bad boy and get to work. Let this book be your guide in to the wonderful world of Asian cuisine. 

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.