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Martin Yan Quick & Easy
by Martin Yan
A first-rate introduction to Oriental cooking.
Martin Yan has had cooking shows on television for years. His bubbly personality and lightning fast chopping have helped him build him a large audience. “Martin Yan Quick & Easy,” published to go with his latest PBS series of the same name, has more than 150 recipes, many accompanied by colorful photographs.
The work begins with a section listing basic tools cooks will need, along with food preparation techniques with which one should become familiar. This is followed by a list of some ingredients that show up regularly in the recipes. There is also a more extensive glossary of ingredients with useful descriptions. For readers who live in areas where Oriental foods are not available in local groceries, the author includes a brief list of online sources.
As the book’s title indicates, the recipes included here are meant for people with limited time for cooking. In the introduction Yan stresses need for preparation if one is going to be quick. He says further that it would be wonderful if people could make everything from scratch, but that this is unrealistic for many of us in today’s world. So his recipes often include premade ingredients and sauces, when this does not unduly affect the end result.
The dishes here range from Martin Yan’s instructions for making steamed rice to others with enticing names like Savory Jade Chicken, Sesame-Orange Beef, and Fiery Chili Pepper Squid. Each recipe begins with some introductory comments about a cooking implement or particular ingredient to be used. These are followed by a list of ingredients and finally by clear step by step preparation instructions. The main recipe section is divided into four chapters: Small Bites & First Courses; Main Courses; Vegetables, Rice & Noodles; and Desserts & Drinks.
Rounding out the work are some “Quick & Easy Meal Suggestions”— such as One-Dish Meals, a Backyard Barbecue, and an Elegant Dinner Party— in which the author groups together three to five dishes in this book to form a meal.
Martin Yan’s fans will love this book. “Martin Yan Quick & Easy” would also make an ideal introduction for people just getting into Oriental cooking.
Title: Martin Yan Quick & Easy
Author: Martin Yan
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 0811844471
Review written by: William Keogan
Reviewer's Rating:8.5
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
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