Vietnamese & Thai Cooking: A Double Treat

One of the joys of ethnic cooking is that it brings you in closer contact with other cultures. In The Best of Vietnamese and Thai Cooking (favorite recipes from Lemon Grass Restaurant and Cafes) by Mai Pham, you not only receive some very delicious recipes, but some behind-the-scenes stories that make you feel a part of it all. A good example is the passage about the author’s parental grandmother, 95, who used to visit their Saigon home laden with food in her baskets.

“Ba Noi probably doesn’t remember much about those times as she is a little forgetful these days,” the author writes. “But I do, and I always will remember how much I looked forward to her visits and how happy I felt in her warm presence.”

But this cookbook is more than personal memories. It is filled with a variety of intriguing recipes such as Sizzling Saigon Crepes to Gooey Ginger Chicken. Particularly interesting are the numerous sidebars that help you learn more about the ingredients, the recipes, and how they are prepared and enjoyed. And, if you’re new to Thai and Vietnamese cookery, you’ll appreciate the introductory pages that help you learn about the ingredients and techniques.

This is one of those very personal cookbooks that you’ll enjoy reading for the stories as much as cooking with the recipes. It is published by Prima Publishing (www.primalifestyles.com) and is available at major bookstores for U.S. $22.95.

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