Into the Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Foodways, Modern Flavors

Into the Vietnamese Kitchen has ratings and 27 reviews. Sarah said: I've been trying to do a better job of planning ahead and cooking Real Food, not.
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Nguyen does provide suggestions for different ways to prepare them. There were a lot of dishes, as well as occasions when they would be used, that I was unfamiliar with. The final section contains sauces and side dishes that can be used with many of the other recipes in the book. While many of the dishes call for ingredients that aren't typical for Americans, there are suggestions on where to find them.

When a specific ingredient isn't available, there are recommendations on alternatives or she suggests leaving it out altogether. There is flexibility within the recipes that should make them less intimidating for newcomers. I haven't had a chance to prepare any of the recipes from the book, but my experience with similar cuisines makes me think that these would be quite tasty. Definitely a win for anyone interested in Vietnamese or Southeast Asian cooking. Very Comprehensive This book is not only a cookbook, but also helps one understand the historical aspects of Vietnamese cuisine. It also is personal in that the author describes how a family member makes a particular dish.

There are recipes that seem very doable and others that I know I will never attempt, but all cookbooks are like that. Feb 13, Sarah rated it liked it Shelves: This was a little more than what I was looking for, which sounds so awful. Truthfully, I can see really devoting time to exploring and trying these recipes, but I'm not ready for that now.

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So I am marking this one: Aug 16, Book rated it really liked it Shelves: If you have any interest in Vietnamese cooking and live in a western country, this is the book to get. One of the difficulties with Vietnamese cooking is that a lot of the ingredients are only purchasable in Asian markets, and even then, there are differences in the quality of the ingredients. This book goes over names, both in English and Vietnamese, herbs and substitutions that might be more readily available, and the qualities and brands of ingredients to get e. I've only made about five recipes so far, but all of them have been very authentic and delicious.

The recipes cover all the main aspects of Vietnamese cooking, including sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, meats, and more. Note that there are criticisms that note this book's recipes have modified or simplified Vietnamese cooking in an unfavorable way. I find that true to a certain extent, but I think it works better with modern sensibilities towards cooking, especially in the west. A lot of purists will find problems with her recipes, but for a novice, it is a fantastic place to start. There are two things that keep me from giving this a perfect score.

The first is that there are surprisingly very few photos, which is odd for a modern cookbook. The second is that the selection of soups is surprisingly limited which I consider to be a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. I still highly recommend this book as there is not another quite like it available in the west. I really liked this cookbook. Granted, I only made a few things from it, but what I did make, I liked. There were a bunch of recipes I wanted to make, but didn't have the chance to, so I'm planning on checking it out another time.

I'm not sure about the authenticity of the recipes, but honestly, I wouldn't know the difference.

Some of the recipes looked really complicated, but after making them, they really weren't that complicated. There's a lot of steps involved with some of the recipes, so they I really liked this cookbook. There's a lot of steps involved with some of the recipes, so they don't seem good for weeknight cooking.

A lot of the ingredients were easy to find at the grocery store, but an Asian market would also be a good place to find the ingredients. My only complaint is there are not a lot of pictures.


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There doesn't have to be one for every recipe, but since this is the 1st time I've cooked Vietnamese food, pictures of what things are supposed to look like would be really helpful. Overall, it gets a 4 out 5. Things are explained pretty well, but more pictures and a better explanation of the different kinds of noodles are needed. Feb 15, Sps rated it it was ok Shelves: Ah, that word 'foodways' in the title.

I await the books on sexways and toiletways. Not fascinated enough to make more recipes.

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Jan 08, Tam rated it liked it. Breaks down steps in a logical fashion. But her recipes lack oomph and her suggested substitutions are laughable. Something about her authoritative tone rankles me. I s'pose it'd be easier to swallow if it was a more reliable book to cook from. Oct 13, Sophia Chang rated it really liked it Shelves: This is another great ethnic cookbook and has provided a good foundation for me to cook some of my favorite dishes that I had when growing up.

I tweaked many of the recipes, but that's just because my mom, like many other moms out there, cooked these dishes a bit differently. My mom never measured anything and didn't teach me how to cook these dishes. To have just some idea of how to make a Vietnamese dish is spectacular. Feb 23, erik rated it liked it. I really like this book even though recipes have been massively simplified from their vietnamese orgins. Maybe i'm biased because there are so many of the caramel-based kho dishes that I love, but maybe it's because most of the recipes are so accessible Feb 19, Megan rated it it was amazing.

Everything I have made out of this cookbook has been utterly fantastic. Nothing fancy--just exactly balanced seasonings. Includes a recipe for the best potato salad I have ever had.

Into the Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Foodways, Modern Flavors

I have craved it every day since I made it. Also a great chicken cabbage salad, pho, etc. I checked this out from the library but am going to buy a copy to keep at home. Nov 23, Julie Davis rated it really liked it. Heard about this book on Spilled Milk podcast and requested it from the library. I am holding onto this for a while to try out a few recipes.

Aug 31, Dh rated it it was amazing. I love everything about this book.

Andrea Nguyen is my hero. Every recipe works and most are outstanding, involving flavors and textures that are new to me. The stories that go along with the recipes are also wonderful. I like that the recipes have been adapted for an american kitchens but are not dumbed down. My favorite cookbook to date. I use it weekly. Dec 24, Jenn rated it really liked it Shelves: Each chapter of this book starts with an essay about Vietnamese cooking, often sharing personal experiences of the author. I found these sections of the book extremely interesting even though I'm not sure reading the book actually boosted my confidence in making my favorite Vietnamese food!

Jan 10, Deborah rated it liked it Shelves: The authors instructions for making pho are easily understood by cooks with limited experience with Vietnamese cooking. I enjoyed the cultural insights she provides as well. Great recipes, easy to follow, with interesting and useful explanations! Jan 21, Tom Hammer rated it liked it. A good, solid introduction to Vietnamese food and cooking Aug 15, Derek Barnes rated it it was amazing.

Andrea Nguyen is a treasure trove of culinary knowledge. I read this cookbook like a mystery novel. Many thanks for a book well written. I am so proud as a Vietnamese to see your website, articles and cookbooks. Congratulations on your many accomplishments! May your good taste in foods be a long and fulfilled journey in the culinary world.

I also have a passion to cook at home for my family and friends. I just bought your book from amazon and I can't wait to start recreate all the traditional Vietnamese food. My mom, my grandmother taught me many traditional Vietnamese dishes but I'd like to try making many other Vietnamese dishes. I think you did a great job. I love your new book Into the Vietnamese Kitchen and really appreciate the tip of piercing the end of the squid tail to provide a steam vent.

I have a Vietnamese friend who said her mother always made that but she has never had any luck because the filling keeps seeping out. Now she knows the secret! I've made quite a number of dishes out of the book, another favorite is your corn and coconut dumplings. I made a quadruple batch for a party 2 weeks ago and people were snatching them up as fast as I could get them out of the pan!

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They are going to become a regular during corn season. I just put your shrimp and cucumber salad in the fridge to chill for dinner. Looking forward to that too. My friend Cindy, who writes for our local paper and I both bought your book the same day and could not wait to show each other our new find.

We have been having a lot of fun with. I may just cook my way through it this summer. I mentioned that to my husband at lunch today and he said he'd have no problem with that. I was especially glad to see the charcuterie section. I have only been able to buy some of those pates inIndianapolis. It will be nice to make my own. Thank you so much! Congratulations on your wonderful cookbook "Into the Vietnamese Kitchen"!

Without question, it is by far the best Vietnamese cook book I have read. It is thorough, honest and practical and I love your mom's recipe notebook. The personal touch of including your family photos and your mother's notebook cover brought back many memories of growing up as a young boy in Saigon.

School work chores and numerous hours of dreadful memorizing in history, biology, math My sister, Sophie and I are hoping to open another Vietnamese restaurant this year featuring a more casual menu, a return to the simple comfort food that we grew up eating at home.

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Your passion and knowlege for Vietnamese food comes through so clearly in your new book and it has reminded me of dishes I have forgotten over the years. Amy's comments included photos of her recipe testing from the book. Read what she had to say. I think after read your book, even the laziest will jump into the Vietnamese's kitchen. I purchased your book a few weeks ago, and I want to thank you for creating such a wonderful compendium of viet cooking. You've made the recipes accessible yet authentic.

Just wanted to give you my first impression of your book. I bought it at the Copperfield Bookstore in Napa last weekend, as I couldn't wait for Amazon's expected delivery date. My husband is in the Bay Area on family business so I had my first chance to open it last night.

Cookbook Overview: Into the Vietnamese Kitchen - Viet World Kitchen

I am reading it like a novel. What interesting stories and histories are revealed. I took it to bed with me to read before I fell asleep and I woke up in the middle of the night to read for a couple more hours. The book occupied space on my husband's side of the bed all night! I am delighted by what I am seeing You answer questions I hadn't yet thought to ask.

The procedures are described so thoroughly and with such technique detail that I can picture being by your side as you cook each recipe. The personal stories which tie the food to your family experiences are treasures.