Hard Cover | Tuttle Publising | April 26, 2016 | 160 pages
Foreword by Raghavan Iyer
Katie Chin introduces her newest cookbook Katie Chin’s Everyday Chinese Cookbook: 101 Delicious Recipes from My Mother’s Kitchen now available to buy. The book pays homage to Katie’s late mother, the legendary chef and restauranteur, Leeann Chin. Sharing a collection of beloved family recipes, Katie weaves a compelling tale of Leeann’s life and her pioneering role in popularizing Chinese cuisine in America. From Chinese classics like Kung Pao Chicken and Shu Mai, to the Chin’s signature Firecracker Shrimp, recipes defy the intimidation factor often linked to Asian cuisine. The book promises to inspire even the novice cook to try their handiwork on the delicate pleating of a Shu Mai dumpling.
Raised in Minneapolis and later settling in LA, Katie’s early adult life was mainly spent out of the kitchen, until Leeann put things into perspective: eating at a restaurant takes two hours, whereas cooking for one’s self can take less time and allows the cook to control what goes into the food. Heeding her mother’s advice, Katie returned to the familiar Chinese recipes she grew up making and found her love for cooking reignited. In her signature warm and inviting way, Katie speaks to the everyday home cook, sharing the quick recipes that will get dinner on the table in a snap, as well as the dishes that are a true labor of love.
Katie’s funny and frank account of her family’s Chinese-American upbringing and subsequent food adventures with her mother and later, her own children, accompanies the book’s easy-to-make recipes. Each dish is introduced with an anecdote that evokes a certain time and place in Katie’s memories. Says Katie, “To me, cooking is storytelling and I am so honored to share my mother’s life story through her recipes and illustrate how every dish she made was an expression of love for her children and a gateway to a better life for our family. “
With stunning photographs of each dish, the cookbook provides a visual feast for readers. Most ingredients do not require an extra stop at specialty food markets, and step-by-step photo instructions are provided for less familiar techniques. “
My mother taught hundreds of home cooks how to prepare Chinese food by making it relatable and accessible,” says Katie. “Carrying her torch, my goal for this book is to demystify Chinese cooking and show people how simple it can be using their own pots and pans and ingredients that are widely available today.”
“Katie Chin has done us all a huge favor: she’s provided us with recipes for so many of the Chinese dishes we always wanted to cook but have never had clear and easy instructions to prepare. Using easy-to-find ingredients, Katie shows us how to make everything from Potstickers to Peking Duck Summer Rolls, Jade Shrimp with Fragrant Vegetables and Beef Chow Fun. And in addition to recipes, the book is infused with stories of a Chinese-American upbringing. Thank you Katie Chin!”– Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Her love and passion for her heritage comes through, proud and delicious. She will guide you through these inspired dishes from her mother, taking you on a tour of the most authentic Chinese flavors without leaving your own kitchen.”—Iron Chef Cat Cora, author, lifestyle entrepreneur and founder of Chefs for Humanity
“This book is a must, not only for those picking up a wok for the first time, but for the culinary Sinophiles as well.” —Andrew Zimmern, award-winning host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern
“I can think of no tribute more fitting to my mentor Leeann Chin than a published collection of her favorite recipes. Leeann was a visionary and a pioneer in popularizing Chinese cooking in America. She was also one of the culinary icons who inspired me to enter the profession. A thousand thanks to Katie, for allowing the world to remember our good friend Leeann through her best dishes.” —Chef Martin Yan, Host of “Yan Can Cook,” Owner and Chef of M.Y. China Restaurant, San Francisco
“Katie Chin’s book is as much a tale of personal endeavors and triumphs as it is a cookbook. The stories are illuminated by the creative, easy-to-make and craveable recipes that shaped her family’s existence. You’re simply gonna love this book.” —Scott Conant, chef, restaurateur and judge on Food Network’s Chopped
“Katie Chin honors the remarkable culinary career of Leeann Chin with this cookbook. Whether you love Chinese-American favorites or prefer unexpected delights, you’ve come to the right book.” —Grace Young, author of Stir-Frying to the Sky’s Edge
“Filled with nostalgic family memories and simple-to-prepare Chinese recipes, this book is so much more than delicious food that you can make at home. It’s for anyone who enjoys Chinese food and heartwarming storytelling.” —Bee Yinn Low, author of Easy Chinese Recipes, Easy Asian Takeout and proprietor of RasaMalaysia.com
“Katie Chin brings us into her Chinese-American kitchen and makes our mouths water with recipes that beg to be cooked and shared. She writes with warmth and enthusiasm, and best of all enormous love and respect for her one-of-a-kind mother, who taught Katie everything she knows about authentic, simple, fresh Chinese cooking.” —Katie Workman, author of Dinner Solved!
