IACP AWARD FINALIST • More than 90 recipes exploring authentic, ancient fare and modern twists that capture the culinary spirit of East, Southeast, and South Asia, from the James Beard Award–winning author of
Vietnamese Food Any Day
and
Ever-Green Vietnamese
From sleek, silken tofu with delicate toppings to piping-hot fried satchels in a robust sauce, tofu provides a versatile canvas for the intricate flavors and textures that Asian and vegetarian cooks have long enjoyed. America has embraced tofu as a healthy, affordable ingredient. And while it has been welcomed into sophisticated mainstream dining, tofu is often hidden in Western guises and in limited applications. In her third intrepid cookbook, celebrated food writer and teacher Andrea Nguyen aims to elevate this time-honored staple to a new place of prominence on every table.
There are spectacular favorites from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and India, as well as delicious dishes from Taipei, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and New York. Andrea demystifies tofu and interprets traditional Asian cuisine for cooks, sharing compelling personal stories and dispatches from some of the world’s best tofu artisans along the way.
For those who want to take their skills to the next level, the tofu tutorial clearly outlines tofu-making technique, encouraging readers to experiment with the unparalleled flavors of homemade varieties. But time-pressed cooks needn’t fear: while a few recipes, such as
Silken Tofu and Seasoned Soy Milk Hot Pot
, are truly best with homemade tofu, most are terrific with store-bought products. Some traditional dishes combine tofu with meat in brilliant partnerships, such as
Spicy Tofu with Beef and Sichuan Peppercorn
Tofu with Kimchi and Pork Belly
, but this collection is predominantly vegetarian and vegan, including the pristinely flavored
Spiced Tofu and Coconut in Banana Leaf
and vibrant S
picy Lemongrass Tofu Salad.
And innovations such as
Okara Doughnuts
reveal tofu’s more playful side.
For health- and eco-conscious eaters and home chefs who are inspired to make the journey from bean to curd,
Asian Tofu
is the perfect guide.