Lemongrass and Lime: New Vietnamese Cooking

Average customer rating:

What a travesty

Much better than some of the other reviewers seem to think!

Give me a break!

Just say 'No'

Don't Try to Cook with this Book!

Lemongrass and Lime: New Vietnamese Cooking
Mark Read
Manufacturer: Ten Speed Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Vietnamese | Asian | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1580083218

Amazon.com

"Vietnamese cuisine is light, subtle, and packed with flavor," writes Mogens Tholstrup, owner of the London restaurant Bam-Bou, whose cooking Lemongrass and Lime celebrates. The work of chef Mark Read, Lemongrass and Lime features 70 recipes based on traditional Vietnamese cooking--a delightful blend of Chinese, Indian, and French culinary influences that dips into modernity with the use of unconventional ingredients like fresh dill and teriyaki sauce. The dishes, such as Barbecued Pork Ribs with Hoisin Sauce, Pan-Fried Duck Breast with Crispy Cabbage and Sesame Soy Dressing, Coconut Curried Vegetables, and Raw Marinated Salmon with Cucumber and Cilantro, are mouthwatering. Readers should be aware, however, that the book, published originally in the U.K., has been inadequately adapted for American cooks. Some ingredients must be "translated" before cooking can begin, and measurements have also been incompletely converted in some cases (one recipe, for example, calls for eight tablespoons of honey rather than the more conventional and convenient one-half cup.) Cooks willing to make the extra effort will, however, produce remarkable food, which is in itself uncomplicated to prepare. With a tempting selection of desserts, such as Chocolate and Lemongrass Mousse, a section on drinks, menu suggestions, and a full ingredient glossary, this color-photo-illustrated cookbook is sure to expand culinary horizons while delighting those who enjoy its food. --Arthur Boehm

Book Description

Evolving over the centuries, Vietnamese cuisine has drawn on the influences of Chinese, Indian, and French cuisine, and absorbed them to create an irresistible combination of delicate flavors, fresh ingredients, fantastic textures, and a simple, approachable cooking style. Vietnamese food is enjoying a rising popularity in the United States, with restaurants such as San Francisco's Slanted Door and New York's Le Colonial drawing national attention. LEMONGRASS AND LIME introduces modern Vietnamese cooking, as pioneered by chef Mark Read. Recipes range from traditional dishes, such as Sour Green Mango Salad or Pho-Bo Noodle Soup, to divinely decadent fare, like Crispy Quail with Watercress and Tamarind or Chocolate and Lemongrass Mousse. With its insight into the food traditions of Vietnam, detailed guide to ingredients, and over 70 recipes, this beautifully illustrated book contains everything you need to know to prepare sensational Vietnamese dishes.

Customer Reviews:

What a travesty.......2004-07-18

I am usually wary when westerners write Vietnamese cookbooks and this book is the reason why. Get Mai Pham's book if you're looking for Vietnamese food. I don't know what this stuff is.

Much better than some of the other reviewers seem to think!.......2003-02-05

Although I agree with some of the criticisms raised about this cookbook, I think the harsh reviews are excessive. Indeed, the ingredient lay-out (in a line at the bottom of the page) is poor, and there are some errors in editing. And I can't say anything about its Vietnamese authenticity (I will trust those who wrote earlier reviews--that it is poor). However, all of the dishes I have tried so far have been wonderfully easy to make and absolutely delicious to eat. I'll admit I haven't made even a quarter of the recipes included (yet!), but I have enjoyed and expect I will continue to enjoy cooking from this book and being inspired to do so by its interesting dishes and beautful visual pictures.

Give me a break!.......2003-01-08

As a Vietnamese-American, I want to learn more about preparing and cooking Vietnamese cuisines. Along with Mai Pham's "Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table," I bought this book because of its beautiful images of Vietnamese food. These images evoke childhood memories.
As soon as I finished skimming through the book, I was quite devastated that I didn't recognize anything as Vietnamese cuisines. All these recipes are practically French, New Age, or fusion hosh-posh. Yes! I am a purist when it comes to international cuisines.
Furthermore, the recipes are so difficult to follow. It seems that Mr. Read is so obessesive over the glossy photos that he forgets include complete instructions.
I donated the book to the local public library.

Just say 'No'.......2001-11-06

I will give a fair warning and say that the following review is quite harsh, but I will try to be as fair as possible.

Okay, on the plus side this book has beautiful photos almost too beautiful to have in a working kitchen. Some of the pictures are so artful one asks the question of what is the picture's purpose? For many of the photos are not instructional photos that show techniques or states of the food except as finished product.

Design --

It is a outsized volume that is perfect for the coffee table but maybe a bit unwieldy in a book holder. The size I am sure, was determined by the photo layout and not the recipes for they occupy very little space.

The layout is of ingredients listed way on the bottom with instructions for the recipe not quite center with the use of a lot of white space and very artistic photos of something that may not be related to the dish. All thisdone on glossy paper.

Problems --

Poorly edited: The book forgets steps in the use of ingredients and has the unique distinction of having an editor who did not bother providing temperature setting equivalents for UK oven markings. So it is not geared for the American kitchen at all. What does Mark # mean for your temperature specific oven? Good guessing is required or a reference. The writer or editor might have tried to do the simple modification of providing both English and degree settings for the recipes. It shows a lack of care.

The Recipes --

I will grant that this is supposed to be 'NEW' Vietnamese cuisine but I find the book making way too many changes and tradeoffs to have it termed Vietnamese except in the broadest sense. An example is the use of butter in recipes e.g., beef and chicken stock. Also, the recipes may require more than what your average thrifty Vietnamese grandma might use such as, veal bones and 10 egg whites to clarify the stock.

The chicken broth/stock was pretty thin in the making just the use of chicken wings which creates a thinner less full broth which may shortchange the strength of broth based dishes. More traditional recipes would actually use a whole chicken to provide fuller flavor and maximize the thriftiness of having a chicken cooked at the same time for another dish.

Vietnamese cooking already has French influences and has chosen and discarded based on what is appropriate so I found it a bit disconcerting that some recipes seem to go very French in technique and then shift to what I term, (fast) cooking where trade-offs are made for unclear reasons. I guess what I am saying is that the vision of the book and its recipes were unclear.

The recipes seem to be a marriage of alot of French technique with some Vietnamese spicing. But is it THE torch of a new direction in Vietnamese cuisine? I hope not because it would be robbed of a depth of flavor and boldness of vision.

My recommendation is do not get this book if you are a serious cook or even a novice for the recipes are more complicated than the novice needs while the serious cook will gain nothing useful from the volume in either background, technique or flavor that is not already in their repetoire.

Don't Try to Cook with this Book!.......2001-10-21

Lovely as a coffeetable book or to get your tastbuds going, but don't try to actually use any of the recipes.

In a casual review of recipes, I found numerous editing mistakes. For example, one recipe gives you detailed directions for baking and mashing a potato. It then moves on to the next ingredients and never tells you what to do with the perfectly mashed potato! Similarly, there are references to ingredients not previously mentioned and inane instructions like refrigerating fresh fish for a MAXIMUM of one hour.

Overall, it feels like the book was rushed to market and/or published by cookbook neophites. Disappointing as the title, pictures, and dish descriptions are all quite mouth-watering.

Book Description

The Illinois Watch Company has long had an honored place in the annals of horological history. From their founding in 1869, through their commitment to timekeeping excellence in the early 20th century, to their development of many wonderful Art Deco/Moderne-inspired wristwatches in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Illinois was a leader in its field. Today their watches are highly sought after by collectors, both for their engineering and beauty. Here is the history of the company covered in great detail and with solid research. Included are historical documents, vintage photographs of the people and manufacturing processes at the Illinois Factory, old advetisements, and a compendium of their wristwatch production from their beginning until their sale to Hamilton Watch Company. But the best part for the collector and historian alike is a visual record of nearly every wristwatch design ever created by Illinois Watch Company, and their variations, in beautiful full color photographs. Each is accompanied by complete information about the watch and its production. In addition, scattered through the book are historical references that place the Company's evolution in the context of the general history of the period, and notes about the collectors of these fine timepieces and the adventures they have had in pursuit of them. Taken together this is an exciting and informative new volume for those who appreciate and cherish old timepieces. 9" x 12" 433 color and b/w images Price Guide/Index

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Watches.......2004-08-23

This book will be a must for collectors. What interested me, aside of the history of the company, was the beauty of the watches. When you see what the new ones look like, what a shame we have gone away from those designs. The fashionable stuff is horrible. Would you wear a Swatch? This book is a tour through good taste, utility and beauty in design.

Book Description

43 carefully designed color-coded charts depict bizarre mythical creatures that abound in Celtic art. Complete instructions and easy-to-follow diagrams enable even beginning needlecrafters to create a wealth of fabulous patterns that will embellish clothing, linens, and other domestic items.

Customer Reviews:

Advanced embroidery.......2006-03-30

This book is for those that understand stitchery with ease. The designs are really good to use with anything, even making bookmarks. This book is for the advanced cross stitcher, or embroiderer.

Mixed Reviews.......2002-10-02

I like the designs, but the total black and white with tiny blocks makes the patterns hard to read. The designs are good, but lacking in color, so if you feel like playing around with them a bit, this is a great book - especially considering the price. Otherwise, I'd probably recommend staying away from it and going with a more expensive, though much more readable and more colorful alternative.

Great book; great price.......2001-09-15

WOW! For the price this book is absolutely wonderful. All the patterns are in black & white, but it's still just as useful as most of the $...-$... celtic cross-stitch books.

A worth while purchase.......2001-09-03

This book has many different designs available. The designs can be a bit small, and a bit difficult to read. I highly recommend taking these charts and enlarging them before starting work on them. There are a great variety in designs, some will take a while to complete, while others can be completed in much less time.

Very good, but not great...........2000-07-02

If you're a true fan of Celtic art, you'll probably enjoy these patterns, but be warned; these will not appeal to everyone. Some of the patterns are outstanding in their design; others are just dull. While the interesting patterns out-number the boring ones, the color choices are bland (unless you really LOVE earth tones) and some of the charts are made up of too few stitches to represent the original designs. Still, if these things don't bother you, I strongly recommend this title.

Average customer rating:

Another in a Fine Series
An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs.

Celtic Design: Animal Patterns
Aidan Meehan
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ancient & Classical | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0500276625

Customer Reviews:

Another in a Fine Series.......2003-03-13

Aidan Meehan has made himself into an advocate for the resurgence of Celtic design. After years spent studying art in Ireland and Scotland, Meehan can claim not only historical expertise, but a wealth of technical expertise as well. Meehan writes of the elements of Celtic design as something alive and vibrant that can be a welcome addition or inspiration to any artist's palette.

This small volume is a presentation of the use of animal patterns in jewelry and decoration from the Sutton Hoo burial, the Celtic gospels, and many other sources. Meehan provides a basic historical discussion, but his focus is on how the designs were created. Using a patient style and countless pen-and-ink drawings in a book that is an essay in the calligrapher's art, Meehan has produced another valuable, living reference in a long series.

Whether you are a jeweler, designer, or a tattoo specialist, there is much to draw on here. The only thing I ever miss in Meehan's books is the inclusion of photographs of the original works. I'm sure Meehan has very good reason's for the omission, but for the curious, this is a bit of a challenge.

An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs........2001-03-30

This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.

This book teaches the origins of animal style. It shows various belt, buckle and brooch designs. It then goes into dog, bird, and people patterns.

The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!

Book Description

Experience the subtle energies and rich mysteries that inspired Celtic artistry. Here they are expressed in a stirring gallery of color key patterns, zoomorphic designs, and other magical symbols. Each time you explore these motifs and mandalas, you'll find new levels of insight to inspire you, whether your interest is graphic design, interior decorating, needlework, woodworking, or any other fine art or craft. Spellbinding illustrations are carefully reproduced in patterns you can trace, enlarge, reduce, or detail, all taken from authentic ancient Celtic shields, ornaments, borders, illuminations, stone carvings, and other sources. Some are simple geometric patterns, which can serve as backgrounds for your own designs, while others are mesmerizing interweavings that stand alone as works of art. 68 pages (16 in color), 64 b/w illus., 8 1/2 x 11.

Customer Reviews:

Celtic Art Workbook.......2001-12-15

It is an interesting read, but I would like to see a little more explanation on creating celtic art.

Celtic Animals Iron-on Transfer Patterns

Average customer rating:

Exactly What I Wanted
Superb iron-on tranfers of Celtic animal designs

Celtic Animals Iron-on Transfer Patterns
Mallory Pearce
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Needlework | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0486299279

Book Description

An original collection of 65 patterns contains intricate designs of birds, fish, and other animals in the densely interwoven style of Celtic art. These dramatic iron-on transfer patterns can be applied to any flat surface that absorbs ink and are perfect for a host of art and craft projects. Easy-to-follow directions included.

Customer Reviews:

Exactly What I Wanted.......2000-11-22

The art is great and the transfers are of high quality. The transfers are all different sizes, from full page designs to small trim pieces. Several of the designs can be chained to create borders. Some are mirrored and others are matched multi-part designs. Excellent quality and great variety.

Superb iron-on tranfers of Celtic animal designs.......2000-03-29

These dazzling transfers are exciting and varied. You won't be able to contain your creative impulses when you look at them. These designs are the stuff of late night art projects. Mallory Pearce has given us a very fine collection.

Average customer rating:

Celtic Design Animal Patterns
Aidan Meehan
Manufacturer: Thames and Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000LBTEGE

Book Description

Kevin McCloud has been acknowledged as one of the most innovative decorators working today. In this exciting book, he breaks new ground on the subject of paint and decorative techniques. From information on essential colors and the use of different paints, to an unequaled step-by-step section on a vast range of decorating techniques, Kevin McCloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques is a definitive guide to the subject, showing how to decorate any home with originality and style.

From the earthy hues of Italian farmhouses to the cool elegance of Scandinavian interiors, color has always played a crucial role in decorative schemes. In the first section of the book a unique cut-out color selector illustrates the eight essential earth colors on the decorator's palette and shows how to create and combine them successfully by clever intermixing of pigments. These essential colors, together with five secondary colors, are then used in the techniques throughout the book, so that all the stunning decorative effects can be easily recreated.

The techniques section that follows contains instructions and step-by-step photographs for more than 35 glorious decorative effects, plus countless variations. They range from more familiar techniques such as colorwashing and antiquing to exciting new effects such as cissing paint, which creates a play of light between a matte and a glossy surface by brushing an emulsion of acrylic paint over a dry coat of gloss. Each technique contains a list of essential ingredients, step-by-step photographs and a close-up of the finished surface or object. All elements of the home are covered, from walls, floors, and woodwork to furnishings and even individual objects such as lamp bases and picture frames. As well as the basic technique, further swatches illustrate a range of alternative colorways. Many of the effects featured in the book can be equally at home in contemporary or historical, sophisticated or informal settings, and to illustrate this versatility further, inspirational photographs show the techniques in different settings.

With more than 400 color photographs, Kevin McCloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques is an unrivaled reference. Whether you want to revamp a dull room, devise a striking color scheme, or restore your home in accurate period detail, this book has the information and inspiration you need.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-07-03

If you are striving for excellence and becoming a master, this is the book for you. Recipes for making your own gesso, plasters, etc. are included along with good step by step photos.

This McCloud's no Highlander.......2001-01-30

This book was a pretty big disappointment. While McCloud does offer a strong presentation of color theory, he does not use realistic examples or materials in a way that someone could take advantage of his color knowledge. As an art historian he seems facinated with the techniques and materials that were used centuries ago. And while McCloud may have plenty of time to travel to France to purchase beautiful, pure, oxidized pigments and then mix them with homemade rabbit glue and curdled-milk concoctions to paint his wall, I for one and happy to have to folks at Lowes mix and shake for me. After all, most of us are just weekenders in this home improvement thing. All said and done, there's not much material about applying "regular" paint to a wall in such a way as to create interesting results. Great pictures, solid color theory (although color theory's been pretty well established for hundreds of years now), lots of info on how to mix paint like they did long ago -- not worth it.

Este libro cambió mi visión de la vida.......1999-05-25

Soy arquitecta y al leer este libro descubrí mi verdadera vocación, pienso que la decoración es un arte y ahora me dedico a ello! quisiera conocerlo y poder trabajar con él.

Excellent addition to K. McCloud's previous books!!.......1999-02-04

As a professional I found this book an excellent addition to my paint book library. Mr. McCloud has used some new approaches to some old techniques. A great read, tremendous pics, very straightforward!!!!!

Kevin McCloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques

Average customer rating:

Kevin McCloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques
Kevin; Crockett, Michael McCloud
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MYYZ96

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