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The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen
Grace Young
Classic Family Recipes for Celebration and Healing
Simon & Schuster
May 1999
On Sale: May 5, 1999
304 pages
ISBN: 0684847396
EAN: 9780684847399
Hardcover
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The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen, with its 150 recipes
culled from a lifetime of family meals and culinary
instruction, is much more than a cookbook. It is a
daughter's tribute -- a collection of personal memories of
the philosophy and superstitions behind culinary traditions
that have been passed down through her Cantonese family, in
which each ingredient has its own singular importance, the
preparation of a meal is part of the joy of life, and the
proper creation of a dish can have a favorable influence on
health and good fortune. Each chapter begins with its own
engaging story, offering insight into the Chinese beliefs
that surround life-enhancing and spiritually calming meals.
In addition, personal family photographs illustrate these
stories and capture the spirit of China before the
Revolution, when Young's family lived in Canton, Shanghai,
and Hong Kong. The first part, "Mastering the Fundamentals," provides
instruction on the arts of steaming and stir-frying; the
preparation of rice, panfried, and braised dishes; the
proper selection of produce; and the fine arts of chopping
and slicing. Part Two, "The Art of Celebration,"
concentrates on the more elaborate, complex, and meaningful
dishes -- such as Shark's Fin Soup and West Lake Duck --
that are usually made with rare ingredients, and sweets
such as Water Chestnut Cake and Sesame Balls. The final
part, "Achieving Yin-Yang Harmony," explores the many
Chinese beliefs about the healing properties of ginseng,
gingko nuts, soybeans, dong quai, and the many vegetable
and fruit soup preparations that balance and nourish the
body. The stories and recipes combine to demonstrate the
range of Cantonese cooking, from rich flavors and honored
combinations to an overall appreciation of health, well-
being, and prosperity. In addition to the recipes, Young provides a complete
glossary of dried herbs, spices, and fresh produce,
accompanied by identifying photos and tips on where to
purchase them. Unique traditional dishes, such as Savory
Rice Tamales and Shrimp Dumplings, are also illustrated
step by step, making the book easy to use. The central full-
color photo section captures details of New Year's dishes
and the Chinese home decorated in celebration, reminding
one that these time-honored traditions live on, and the
meals and their creation are connections to the past.
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