Not sure what it means when a recipe calls for “Chinese Celery” or whether that jar of oyster sauce you just bought needs to be refrigerated? The world of Asian ingredients can be mystifying to westerners. These books provide a comprehensive guide to Asian ingredients, complete with storage and preparation tips. And, of course, recipes!
1. Asian Ingredients: A Guide with Recipes
by Ken Hom. A book that provides detailed information on over 150 Asian ingredients, including details about purchasing, storing, and how to use. Where possible, Hom also provides substitutions for harder-to-find ingredients. Includes photographs of each item and over 30 recipes. Paperback.2. Charmaine Solomon's Encylopedia of Asian Food
by Charmaine Solomon. This book provides a comprehensive overview of all the ingredients used in Asian cooking, from exotic items such as kaffir lime to familiar items such as beef and pork. It is more in-depth than Ken Hom's book (there are over 300 recipes), but the information provided about each ingredient is not as consistent. Includes some color illustrations. Hardcover.
