Secrets From My Vietnamese Kitchen: Simple Recipes from My Many Mothers

Description

In this unique and inviting introduction to a vibrant cuisine, Secrets from My Vietnamese Kitchen offers more than 50 easy-to-make recipes from bestselling novelist and former restaurateur Kim Thoy. Seven extraordinary women, Kim joined by her mother and five aunts, share their stories and their culinary secrets, accompanied by stunning photographs, charming descriptions and evocative extracts from Kim's novels. A warm and welcoming introduction to a vibrant cuisine, with more than 50 easy to make recipes from internationally bestselling novelist Kim Thoy. Between careers as a lawyer and an acclaimed novelist, Kim Thoy ran a celebrated restaurant called Ru de Nam in Montreal. Now, in her first cookbook, Kim combines her beautiful storytelling style with simple and wonderful recipes that are full of flavour- surprising yet comforting, and easy enough for every day. Welcoming us into her close-knit circle, she introduces us to her mother and five aunts, each with her story, each with her secrets, told through the food of the country they had to leave, Vietnam. Starting with easily-prepared base ingredients of sauces, quick pickled vegetables and toasted rice flour, we move on to soups, sautes, vegetables, grilled foods, desserts and more. Sample recipes include- Stuffed Squash Soup; Vermicelli Bowls; Caramel Pork; Calamari, Pork and Pineapple Stir-fry; Fried Lemongrass Fish; and Vietnamese Tapioca and Banana. Also, in collaboration with sommelier Michelle Bouffard, Kim suggests wine pairings for these Vietnamese dishes. Kim says that Vietnamese often display their affection more easily with food than with words. This exquisite book deliciously demonstrates that every meal is an opportunity to show love, and to be grateful for those who sit down to eat with us.

Born in Saigon in 1968, KIM THeY left Vietnam with the boat people at the age of ten and settled with her family in Quebec. A graduate in translation and law, she has worked as a seamstress, interpreter, lawyer, restaurant owner, and commentator on radio and television. She lives in Montreal and devotes herself to writing. SHEILA FISCHMAN is the award-winning translator of some 150 contemporary novels from Quebec. In 2008 she was awarded the Molson Prize in the Arts. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and a chevalier of the Ordre national du Quebec. She lives in Montreal. MARIE ASSELIN is a food writer, translator, recipe developer, stylist, and culinary teacher who is based in Montreal.

"In her first cookbook, Kim combines her beautiful storytelling style with simple and wonderful recipes that are full of flavour: surprising yet comforting, and easy enough for every day." -CBC Books "Kim Thuy's latest is her first cookbook, and yet it's also part memoir, inspiring the reader to devour it cover to cover - it's clear she's not only a cook, but a celebrated writer." -Julie Van Rosendaal, The Globe and Mail "Thuy's first cookbook is a tribute to all of the women in her life and a deep expression of how she expresses love through food." -Chatelaine