Far Eastern Cookery

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Madhur Jaffrey

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Pages: 304 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0563213647

Pub: BBC Books

Pub date: 1989-01

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 387896

Editorial Review:

In Step-by-Step Cookery Madhur Jaffrey celebrates the food not just of her native India but of southern Asia as a whole--Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. This vast area ranges in climate from temperate to tropical, even equatorial, and even Madhur Jaffrey could only hope to skim the surface and all in 270-odd pages. However, there is a theme running through these invariably well-chosen and delicious recipes, which is that of a healthy emphasis on grains. Rice and wheat, in the form of noodles, steamed buns and breads or pancakes, predominate as the staple. As the title indicates, this is also a tutorial in the cooking methods and ingredients of the East, and a very thorough and approachable one it is. Madhur Jaffrey seems to have been everywhere and eaten everything, as a good cookery writer should, and she has a vast repertoire of techniques and individual dishes at her disposal. Her explanations are clear and the many photographs ensure that everything is easily followed. The scents of chilli, garlic, ginger and soy seem to rise off the page, along with dozens of other fragrances. A few examples, to show just how tempting this collection is: Squid in Chilli and Garlic Sauce (Malaysia); Hot and Sour Prawn Soup (Thailand--"one of the world's greatest soups"); Lamb with Spring Onions (Hong Kong); Aromatic and Spicy Beef Stew (Vietnam); Pears Poached in a Saffron and Cardamom Syrup (India). --Robin Davidson

Reader Reviews:

Wonderful book (1/2 people found this helpful)

I used this book extensively in the 90's. Long Beans with pork is a family staple( my husband loves this) and Chicken Prawn and Fruit salad, the flavours are perfectly blended. My dinner party guests loved it. I could go on. Ms Jaffrey's skills as a food writer are superb, and I would buy her books for her travel pages alone. She shares meals with local people, then writes about her experiences and gives you the recipes. She did the same in A Taste of India in which again, the food writing was wonderful, and really immerses you in the culture without any of that sickening sentimentality some writers adopt.

Indispensable! (14/14 people found this helpful)

As a Far Eastern, I have tried to be especially critical of this book. It took me awhile to write the review because I wanted to be ABSOLUTELY certain that I left no stone unturned. But the plain fact of the matter is : I just cannot find anything wrong with this book.

This is not a book by a native for natives. Madhur does not pretend to be an expert on Far Eastern flavours. Her observations and comments are meant for those with an interest in food from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

I love this book because, while trying very hard to remain true to the traditional style, Madhur recognises and addresses some of the limitations faced by a cook outside South East Asia. She appreciates the difficulty in obtaining the right ingredients and suggests substitutes. She is not uncompromising in her quest to achieve authenticity. Living in Portugal, I understand these "limitations" all too well.

Madhur also understands that some of the authentic Southeast Asian flavours may surprise the European palate. She attempts to recreate each dish in a way that it may cause minimum distress to the uninitiated eater, thereby leaving him/her with enough curiosity to be more adventurous next time. That is why I think that this book is so well written.

I have tried just about all the recipes in this book, and whilst I am very tempted to say : "it is not like the way it is back home", I know that it does not come better than this. Madhur strikes a wonderful balance between authenticity and reality. I have tried Far Eastern recipes by other food gurus but there is something unmistakably "European" about the outcome. But not in the case of this food guru.

All I can say is, if you want the real thing - and I mean as real as it can get outside Southeast Asia - this is the book for you. It literally shows you how to do it...step by step.

Madhur Jaffrey's best cookery book yet (8/8 people found this helpful)

This is the best cookery book I've had so far, I still haven't tried all the recipes that I like the look of (there are so many). But whatever you do be sure to give the Thai Pork Curry in the Burmese Style a go (pg.150). It takes awhile to prepare but the wait is worth it. I absolutely have to cook this recipe at least once a fortnight. Many other great step by step recipes with loads of great pictures (that always helps).

A great informative book with all the works on food. (2/2 people found this helpful)

Many great food ideas will encourage people to try and expeiment with things that were thought to be difficult. Step by step approaches will guide you to some wonerful dishes, and the great thing is that we can all have a good crack at it. So if you are looking for exotic foods from a varity of cultures then buy this little gem and it could be a life safer in the kitchen.