James Oseland
Editor-in-Chief of Saveur, Author of Cradle of Flavor
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by James Oseland
“A passionate primer in understanding the fundamentals of Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese cooking. Every student of Southeast Asian food should own this book.” (from Amazon)
by Robert Danhi, Jay Weinstein, Martin Yan·You?
by Robert Danhi, Jay Weinstein, Martin Yan·You?
Demystifying Southeast Asia’s cuisine, this cookbook translates years of photography, culinary training, education, and resulting expertise into an adventure of recipes, stories, and practical advice on cooking. Regardless of exotic flavors, foreign ingredients, and unfamiliar techniques, the guide demonstrates how cooking remains universal and the science of food holds fast. Including more than 100 recipes, 700 photographs, and vivid anecdotes, this is the perfect book for anyone seeking to learn about the flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine or just looking for a unique, recreational read.
Recommended by James Oseland
“This inspiring and delightful cookbook, full of excellent and easy-to-follow recipes, confirms that Oaxaca is not only one of Mexico's most important food regions, it is one of the most important in the world.” (from Amazon)
by Bricia Lopez, Javier Cabral·You?
by Bricia Lopez, Javier Cabral·You?
Bricia Lopez’s Oaxaca is a colorful celebration of Oaxacan cuisine from her family’s landmark Guelaguetza restaurant in Los Angeles, co-written with food writer Javier Cabral. “Bricia and her family are true culinary ambassadors, sharing the ingredients, the stories, and the flavors of her native Oaxaca. . . . Now we all get the chance to hear the stories and taste the food that makes Oaxaca one of the best places to eat on Earth.” ―José Andrés, chef, entrepreneur, philanthropist Oaxaca is the culinary heart of Mexico, and since opening its doors in 1994, Guelaguetza has been the center of life for the Oaxacan community in Los Angeles. The first true introduction to Oaxacan cuisine by a native family, each dish articulates their story, from Oaxaca to the streets of Los Angeles and beyond. Showcasing the “soul food” of Mexico, Oaxaca offers 140 authentic-yet-accessible recipes using some of the purest pre-Hispanic and Indigenous ingredients available. Sections and recipes include: The Staples of Oaxaca MasaHuevo en FrijolAntojitos Oaxaquenos (Tamales and Finger Foods)Tamales de Mole NegroTacos de Chapulin y ChicharrónSopas y Caldos (Soups)Pollo en Salsa Verde con Papas y NopalesCaldo de PataOur MolesMole NegroMole Verde con PuercoFamily MealsChiles Rellenos de PicadilloTacos de Barbacoa de ChivoBreakfastChilaquilesHuevos RancherosSalsasSalsa de TomatilloGuacamoleMezcal Cocktails, Aguas Frescas, and Our MicheladaPasión de OaxacaSparkling LimonadaAnd more! Lopez writes in her introduction, “In Zapoteco, the thousand-year-old Indigenous language still spoken in Oaxaca, the word for aciento (pork rind paste) is the same word that is used for children, which is the name of the toasted chicharron paste that we smear on tortillas. That is how important food is to us. In our Indigenous languages, we use our staple food to describe us as children.” When you try her recipes, you’ll know why food and life are so connected, vibrant, and essential to the people of Oaxaca. From their signature pink horchata to the formula for the Lopez’s award-winning mole negro, Oaxaca demystifies this essential cuisine. Packed with mouth-watering color photographs.
Recommended by James Oseland
“A truly magical and illuminating journey into the cooking of Vietnam, with recipes so thoroughly brilliant they will not only allow you to better understand the cuisine of that country, but they will also make you a better cook, Asian or otherwise.” (from Amazon)
by Charles Phan·You?
by Charles Phan·You?
In his eagerly awaited first cookbook, award-winning chef Charles Phan from San Francisco's Slanted Door restaurant introduces traditional Vietnamese cooking to home cooks by focusing on fundamental techniques and ingredients. When Charles Phan opened his now-legendary restaurant, The Slanted Door, in 1995, he introduced American diners to a new world of Vietnamese food: robustly flavored, subtly nuanced, authentic yet influenced by local ingredients, and, ultimately, entirely approachable. In this same spirit of tradition and innovation, Phan presents a landmark collection based on the premise that with an understanding of its central techniques and fundamental ingredients, Vietnamese home cooking can be as attainable and understandable as American, French, or Italian. With solid instruction and encouraging guidance, perfectly crispy imperial rolls, tender steamed dumplings, delicately flavored whole fish, and meaty lemongrass beef stew are all deliciously close at hand. Abundant photography detailing techniques and equipment, and vibrant shots taken on location in Vietnam, make for equal parts elucidation and inspiration. And with master recipes for stocks and sauces, a photographic guide to ingredients, and tips on choosing a wok and seasoning a clay pot, this definitive reference will finally secure Vietnamese food in the home cook’s repertoire. Infused with the author’s stories and experiences, from his early days as a refugee to his current culinary success, Vietnamese Home Cooking is a personal and accessible guide to real Vietnamese cuisine from one of its leading voices.