The Book of Vietnamese Cooking
The Book of Vietnamese Cookingprovides a fine introduction to this elegant Southeast Asian cuisine. Author Dei-ta Hsiung gives enough information in this slim volume to explain the subtleties of Vietnamese food, how it evolved, and how it differs from that of its neighbors. In addition to a picture of the completed dish, for all 80 recipes you will find three to six color photos showing key steps in their preparation. The glossary of ingredients describes every item called for in the recipes and explains how to use them. Likewise, the section on equipment tells what you need. Both sections offer handy substitutions, such as using a deep-sided sauté pan for a wok, and lime juice in place of tart tamarind.Along with familiar Vietnamese dishes like Shrimp Paste on Sugar Cane, Green Papaya Salad, and Chicken with Lemongrasss,The Book of Vietnamese Cookingincludes such regional choices as Hot Pot from the north.  Vegetarians will be pleased to find a recipe for the classic dipping sauce made without the ubiquitous fish sauce, and for Vegetarian Fried Noodles. Unfortunately, the Vietnamese names of the dishes are omitted, making it hard to associate what you find in this book with dishes you may know from a favorite restaurant.--Dana Jacobi