Charmaine Solomon's Encyclopedia of Asian Food

I've read 2 dozen books on the subject of Asian cooking and without question, this volume out shines all the others. In scope and dimension, it excels in information which is not only usable, but accurate and very readable. A consummate work of art on the spectacular world of Asian cooking. My constant companion in the kitchen.

I cannot imagine undertaking a task such as this. The authors have obviously spent countless hours in painstaking research - befitting the immaculate illustrations. The result is a comprehensive guide to the essential foods and ingredients of the cuisines of Asia, informative yet not without warmth and humour. (See the entry on that much maligned South-East Asian delicacy, the durian.) To add to the evocative descriptions of unfamiliar and exotic ingredients are recipes on how they may be used. If you never imagined you'd want to eat banana skins, try the recipe on p.282 for Green Plantain Skin Temperado. Not a lot of ingredients, but incredibly tasty. A great guide book for those wanting to get intimately acquainted with the essential flavours of Asia. Although this book stands alone as a textbook and cookbook, if you're really enthusiastic about cooking and eating authentic Asian dishes, you'll also want to own The Complete Asian Cookbook by Charmaine Solomon. Her recipes are always easy to follow and reliable. There is a recent edition of the The Complete Asian Cookbook with new photographs, but the recipes are the same. I've had mine since 1976. In spite of a swathe of newcomers on the subject, Solomon's tome keeps getting reprinted year after year. That says something.

This is a truly encyclopedic work, essential for anyone interested in serious Asian cooking or eating. Not only is it full of good information on the foodstuffs of the region, it's chockablock with excellent recipes.

Charmaine Solomon won, with her previous edition of this book, the Silver Ladle in the inaugural World Food Media Awards. The awards are designed to recognise those within the culinary industry dedicated to the achievement of excellence.The awards are held bi-ennially, in Adelaide, South Australia.Congratulations Charmaine, on a fantastic and well-deserved win.