Learning to use a wok

[Dianne]

I have a friend who would like to learn about wok cooking and has asked me to recommend a good book for the beginner. The books I learned from are old and out of print. What current books should I suggest? What about Breath of the Wok ( is that the right name?)?

Thanks for your help

Dianne Ross

[Chris Amirault]

Grace Young's Breath of the Wok is a fantastic book in every way -- and it includes a detailed section on buying and seasoning your wok. That's the ticket!

[Dianne]

Thanks Chris. I had read about the book, but had not seen it. I will pass this along to my friend.

Dianne.

[akebono]

Thanks Chris. I had read about the book, but had not seen it. I will pass this along to my friend.

Dianne.

←

Barbara Tropp's

The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking...

she wrote the book...

-m

[Raj Banerjee]

Yan Kit So's Classic Chinese Cookbook

Far superior, IMHO, in almost every way to Barbara Tropp's book. Includes all the info in Modern Art...but has photographs giving instructions on how to do things, but lacks the painstaking levels of detail in the recipes in Barbara Tropp's book, which are useful for the very novice Chinese cook.

I have had both books for years, and in terms of learning how to use a wok and cleaver and have recipes that are tempting and accomplishable, Yan Kit's book wins every time and is the one I turn to time and again.

I dont own Breath of a Wok, but from discussions around eGullet, the general consensus is that its a very worthy book for wok information, if not indispensable in terms of the recipes it provides.

Have fun!

Raj

[Dianne]

thanks Raj and Akebono. I will pass this on to my friend. I have Barbara Tropp's book and love it. I hope it is still in print. I have never heard of Kan Yit So book, but I will look for it.

Dianne