Feasts of Good Fortune| Book Review
Review of Hsiao-Ching Chou & Meilee Chou Riddle's book - Feasts of Good Fortune.
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75 recipes for a full year of celebrations with family and friends the
Chinese American way in this deeply personal intergenerational cookbook,
co-written by mother and daughter.
Covering everything from traditional Lunar New Year menus with recipes passed
down generations to Thanksgiving get-togethers celebrated with tantalizing side
dishes, Feasts of Good Fortune invites you to take a seat at the
Chou's warm family dinner table.
Author and former James Beard Foundation cookbook committee chair Hsiao-Ching
Chou (Chinese Soul Food) brings her on-ramp approach to Chinese cooking full
circle with fresh, uncomplicated home cooking for celebrations typical of the
Chinese American experience. Master dumplings, scallion pancakes, and
more, to contribute to “tuan yuan” (the act of coming together) that
define family meals in these 75 tried-and-true recipes anyone can tackle.
Cowritten with Hsiao-Ching’s 17-year-old daughter, Meilee, on reconnecting with
her Chinese American heritage as a young adult, this deeply meaningful cookbook
is an exploration of what it means to grow up in a “forever hyphenated culture”
and celebrates the joy of the mother-daughter bond in cooking together.
Organized chronologically with menus that'll take out the guesswork, including:
- Lunar New Year (Sticky Rice with Chicken and Chinese Sausage)
- Lantern Festival (Glutinous Rice Balls with Black Sesame Paste)
- Honoring the Dead/Qing Ming (Steamed Spinach Dumplings)
- Dragon Boat Festival (Zong Zi)
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncakes)
- Birthdays & Party Bites (Stir-Fried Long-Life Noodles)
- Side Dishes for East-meets-West Menus (Braised Kale with Dried Cranberries)
- Hot Pot Parties
Book #51 of 2024
Nonfiction #28
Having lived
in China for almost a decade, I was instantly drawn to this book!
The book is
divided into two major sections, with one section discussing 5
festivals/occasions and the other section celebrating the mixed culture. Fun
facts sprinkled throughout the book add depth and value to the topic, making reading
enjoyable.
Before
diving into the 75 homely recipes, a helpful chapter details key ingredients,
necessary equipment, and cooking techniques. Colorful pictures accompany this
section for visual reference.
Each chapter
includes a “Mom Says” section that provides background information, tips,
tricks, or other useful knowledge about the occasion or dish.
Vibrant and
delectable photographs accompany the recipes, with some even featuring helpful
step-by-step visuals. Beyond food, the book also includes relatable and
interesting photos of family, shopping, and general scenes.
The
inclusion of vegan/ vegetarian recipes is the true highlight! This book is a
treasure for anyone who loves Chinese flavors.
This is more
than just a cookbook; it's a journey through Chinese culture and tradition,
offering a glimpse into the author's family. The bonus of vegan recipes, a
rarity in Chinese cookbooks, makes it even more special.
The book
evoked a powerful nostalgia for my time living in China. The various customs,
traditions, and festivals celebrated with our Chinese friends came flooding
back. Seeing the vegan recipes reminded me how chefs and friends' families
would try to veganize or vegetarianize dishes so we could enjoy meals together.
The
beautiful photos brought back happy memories of the food and the country I
loved living in.
As I read
each chapter, I discussed it all with my daughter, who was a toddler when we
lived there. I told her how much I missed those festivities!
I will be trying out some of the recipes from this book to relive our time in China. I have my mind set on these for a start-Potstickers, Scallion pancakes, Red bean Tang yuan, Rice vermicelli with vegetables. Will share how they turned out in my food blog.
This is a 5/5 star read. I would totally recommend this to anyone looking to cook or learn about Chinese Cuisine/culture.
Hsiao-Ching
Chou is an award-winning food journalist and author of three cookbooks on
Chinese home cooking. Known for her potsticker classes, she has taught hundreds
of students over the years. She is the past chair of the James Beard
Foundation’s Book Awards Committee and serves on the board of directors for the
Ballard Food Bank. When she’s not wearing her culinary hat, she makes a living
as an editorial director in the tech industry. Chou lives with her family in
Seattle.
Meilee Chou Riddle is a student of filmmaking, writing, and music. She
comes from a family of storytellers, including her TV producer dad, Eric
Riddle; cookbook author mom, Hsiao-Ching Chou; and lifestyle blogger grandma,
Ellen Chou. Meilee is always looking for ways to express her creativity. Her
award-winning films have been featured in regional and national film festivals.
She lives in Seattle with her family.
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Check out the Vegan and vegetarian recipes on my food blog - Seduce Your Tastebuds. The Touch of the Orient section has 50+ recipes covering beverages, Breakfast dishes, snacks, main courses, sides, and desserts.
Each of these recipes comes with some anecdote revolving around the dish or our time in the Orient.
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This post is joining the #BlogchatterFoodFest going on @ Blog Chatter where a group of bloggers are writing all things about food from June 10th to June 20th
Until the next post...
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