Asia: The Beautiful Cookbook

by Jacki Passmore

The cuisines of Asia are among the most intriguing in the world, blending taste and tradition in remarkable combinations. Even so, many food lovers have never had the pleasure of sampling authentic Asian dishes. Now, with Asia The Beautiful Cookbook, you can enjoy the culinary creations of fourteen Asian countries first-hand as you embark on a temptation-filled tour that begins in Japan and ends on the enchanting isle of Sri Lanka.To capture the essence of Asia's cuisines, author Jacki Passmore spent more than fifteen years gathering the best recipes from hundreds of expert cooks. In this book she shares her finds; here are over 200 memorable dishes-from appetizers to desserts--beautifully photographed in glorious detail.In the chapter on Japan, for example, you will find recipes and photos showing how to prepare sushi and tempura, along with less well-known specialties such as crab hotpot and abalone steamed in sake. From Burma comes the country's national dish, mohinga, rice vermicelli in a robust fish broth. India and Thailand contribute their famous spicy curries; Indonesia and Malaysia, their rich desserts. No matter which country you choose to explore first, you will find endless ways to create traditional and exotic meals.To guide you, nearly every recipe is accompanied by helpful notes describing the origins and characteristics of the dish; along with tips on ingredients and utensils. Finally, an extensive glossary offers insights into some of the more unusual Asian cooking terms.For the adventurous cook and the armchair traveller alike, Asia The Beautiful Cookbook offers a lasting tribute to a fascinating continent. Far more than a collection of recipes, it provides an evocative look at the Asian people and the magical lands in which they live.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Jacki Passmore is a cookbook author and editor who lived for many years in Hong Kong and travelled extensively studying the cuisines of Asia.

Reviews

[Jülie ☼♄  · Rating 5 out of 5]

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This is a truly beautiful book...a feast for the eyes as well as the soul and palate.

I have often spent long, cold winter days sipping on a hot cup of (homemade) Chai Tea, just reading through this book and drinking in the wonderful images and aromas that are conjured up by the beautiful photographs from each country.
This book was a birthday gift from my husband in 1988, and all these many years later, I still treasure it as much.

It was on one such cold winter day that my husband and I decided to make a traditional Massaman Curry from scratch....what a glorious shared time we had in the kitchen that day! The aromas were intoxicating and the resulting dish was one that I will never forget...DELICIOUS.
I think that day will stay in my memory forever, and Massaman Curry remains my all time favorite!

This is one of the best ways to spend a cold winters day. The aromas of seeds and spices being toasted and ground in your own kitchen, along with the blending of the other aromats, then the long and gentle cooking process, combine to fill your home with warmth, bringing with it a sense of peace and calm to all within.
This is not a labour, it is a meditation....Please try it this winter!

Also spend some time prior to cooking day, making a shopping list for all of the freshest of spices and other ingredients and then spend a happy day shopping for them! I promise you, this (stress free) ritual will make this cooking experience all the more enjoyable for having done so.

If this doesn't gladden your heart/hearts, then......You just might have to do it again and invite some special friends for a cookathon !! This kind of love begs to be shared!!

Just as a sudden and fleeting whiff of perfume, or the scent of a flower can transport you back in time to a long distant memory...so too, can the aromas of a delicious home cooked spicy dish. It is the romance of food.

Ultimate Soul Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a big coffee table cookbook with lots of beautiful pictures, but it seems utterly impractical as a day to day cookbook. The recipes are complex and often involve difficult to find or expensive ingredients. The best thing about the book is the visual sampling of a wide variaty of Asian cultures.

[Meltha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit it. I've never cooked a thing out of this book, but the photography is unbelievably pretty.

[Ewen Rintoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the renovator and or professional male OR female a must have book.

[Nienke · Rating 5 out of 5]

extensive recipes, but they always reflect the original food as eaten abroad

[Melissa Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photography is wonderful. I actually got hungry just looking at the beautiful food.