Cooking from the Heart: The Hmong Kitchen in America

by Sami Scripter, Sheng Yang

Caucasian-American Sami Scripter and Hmong-American Sheng Yang have intertwined their expertise to present the superb Hmong cuisine within its rich Southeast Asian cultural context. Cooking from the Heart contains more than 100 authentic Hmong recipes: Fresh Chicken with Hmong Herbs; Stir-Fried Baby Bok Choy with Pork; Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup; Chicken and Bean Sprout Salad; and Chicken Soup for New Mothers. The cookbook's cultural notes are far more than fillers: In stories, anecdotes, and poems, they convey the history and traditions of these proud mountain people.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

296 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2009

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thoughtful, comprehensive introduction to Hmong cooking in America. The recipes are well-written, the instructions are clear, and there are notes about where to find special ingredients, all of which I appreciated. I especially enjoyed the essays about Hmong culture and food traditions that are scattered throughout the book. I recommend it!

[Jo-Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never seen a Hmong cookbook before so I was very excited to read it. The recipes are easy to follow, but I wished there were pictures so I would at least know what the end product would look like. There are some pictures in the middle of the book but for select recipes.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many words, confusing recipes and not enough pictures.

[Kathy Satterfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about Hmong cooking and was amazed at the complicated processes that this culture goes through to prepare beloved recipes. It is also a bit sad because you know that with their move to the Western world, these practices cannot continue.

For one thing, the ingredients will not be available easily, like fresh chicken and pig's blood. You read that correctly. I will pass on that one. I love cooking authentic international recipes and my spice cabinet is a testimony to that hobby. The Hmong do not waste anything and use the offal of animals in many of their recipes. I always thought it was appropriate that the organs were named that and that it rhymed with awful. My father loved it as well and I had breakfasts of scrambled brains and eggs, kidney and liver, even chicken feet and heads. But I did not enjoy them. It is not a pleasant memory!

So this cookbook wasn't for me in terms of recipes I will be using. I did appreciate it though for the rich cultural practices that are described. An amazing culture!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooking from the Heart: The Hmong Kitchen in America is a fascinating cookbook. It shares more than just recipes. There is history tucked away in and around the recipes. Readers find out about the Hmong people and how they came to the U.S. as refugees after the war in Vietnam. They brought traditional cooking methods, but have also integrated some of the foods and processes here in the U.S.

There are also essays, poetry and some great pictures. I have tried a few of the recipes and they were yummy. I look forward to trying more of them in the future.

[Denni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about Hmong cooking and hmong life. It's a great reference for anyone who wants to try a recipe. Great pictures and stories. I would check it out again. Stuffed chicken wings p. 111, whole roasted coconut chicken p. 114, Ders Egg and cucumber salad P. 122, Pork stuffed tofu p. 136, Pork & chicken salad with peanuts p. 148, Beef and String bean stir-fry p. 170.
Stir fried baby bok choy p. 79, Coconut Gelatin p. 219, Green Salad with ground pork p. 236, Garlicky Green Bean Stir-fry p. 243.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't try to make any of the recipes, more like just compared them to how I cook them. A lot of personalized recipes that gave me ideas of what other ingredients to throw in, but I like most dishes simple.
I saw the Hmong authors' website a while back and have been anticipating the book.

[Kassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. Great stories. Great food. Great info.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book - want to hear what people think about it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent intro, but poorly designed and not user-friendly.