Southeast Asian Specialties

I'm a smidgen dissapointed in this book. There are many exotic(to me atleast) recipes and mentions of recipes. But no actual recipe to go along with the latter. Still a great book with wonderful pictures and beautiful history of the south east asian territories. Enjoy!

Have you ever walked into an Asian grocery store and departed without having purchased anything because you had no idea what all those interesting and exotic cans and bottles contained? That kind of frustration is probably universal, even for those of Asian heritage. Having shopped in Southeast and East Asian stores in the four states has taught me that the American shopper is on his/her own. The store clerk either does not speak your language, and/or does not know what the product is. For example, I came across bags of "mixed mints" at the Vietnamese store I currently patronize and asked the clerk what the perilla (beefsteak plant leaf) is called in Vietnamese. Neither she nor any of the Vietnamese patrons could give me an answer because they lump all mints together.Southeast Asian Specialties, edited by Rosalind Mowe, is a treasure trove of useful facts that answers many of the questions that confound many curious shoppers. It summarily but carefully explains the cuisines of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The book is stuffed with artful colored photographs of various dishes from raw ingredients to table presentation from both country kitchens and metropolitan restaurants. If you ever wondered how soy sauce, coconut milk and oyster sauce are made, this book will satisfy your curiosity with words and pictures. For the frustrated shopper there are labeled photographs of canned products, vegetables, teas and spices. Much of this information is useful to those who have found Chinese stores to be a frustration. The section on Singapore covers the Chinese regional cuisines found in that vibrant city-state.The book does not limit itself to cuisine. It provides a short pictoral excursus on Sumatran cigars.Southeast Asian Specialties is a delightful, lavishly illustrated book stuffed with culinary information. Even if you have no interest in Southeast Asian cuisine this tome should be on your shelf. It may prompt you to explore these most delightful and delicious cuisines.

This cookbook not only cover recipes but also offers cultural insight and exclusive content about the respective countries not found at home. It is well worth the money and gave one to my aunt for Christmas.