Everybody's San Francisco Cookbook

Rating:
Summary: a great introduction to ethnic cooking
Review: This book has really expanded my cooking. I've always been afraid to do any ethnic cooking, in large part because I was afraid of exotic ingredients and never enjoyed dumbed down recipies that leave out those ingredients. This book gives useful background info on the cooking of many regions (Japan, China, Middle East, South America), then gives great descriptions of the ingredients that it calls for. I live in San Francisco, and it's been great fun using the guide to ethnic food stores and tracking down things like galangal and lemongrass.

Ingredients aside, most of the recipies are straightforward, and I've had great success with them. The ingredient lists on many recipies are intimidating, but usually preparation is quick (measuring them into a food processor, etc.).

It's been very satisfying to cook many of my favorite restaurant foods. Hot and sour soup one night. Chicken curry another. I also learned about great dishes I never heard of before. My favorite section is Southeast Asia. The peanut sauces are killer.

The menu suggestions have been very useful, as well, because I really don't know what dishes to combine for a dinner party.

I use the book whenever I'm in a cooking rut and want to try something new.