Over 200 recipes, each with specific healing properties
in accordance with the accumulated wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine.
Primarily a question of balance, eating in harmony with the seasons,
countering yin (cool foods – spinach, tomatoes, seafood) with
yang (hot foods – ginger, garlic, hot peppers, beef) and neutralisers
(rice and noodles). Recipes to alleviate tiredness, the onset of cold,
period pains, cancer deterrents and cholesterol problems – whatever
your health concerns, here can be found the right restorative recipes.
This book was an American sensation upon its US release, and earned
a ranking in the amazon.com top-ten for that year.
Nina Simonds has lived, studied and travelled throughout
South-East Asia and for the past twenty-five years she has taught
cooking classes across the USA and in mainland China. She is a regular
contributor to Gourmet magazine and has written several other
highly acclaimed titles on Asian food.
• Winner of the James Beard Award
• Food Illustrated's 'Top Ten Books of the Year'
'The artful marriage of Asian cuisines with Chinese
medicine is a brilliant tour de force by American's leading authority
on Chinese gatronomy. This book is an enthralling combination of exquisite
recipes – simple and homely as well as refined and exotic –
and knowledge about the restorative and curative benefits of food
and flavourings. It is about pleasure and health; elevates herbalist
cuisine to a high level of excellence and gives a fascinating insight
into Chinese philosophy and medicine. A book to treasure.'
Claudia Roden
'Just as the Western world is becoming aware of
how interrelated food and health are, here comes a jewel of a book
to hold your hand and show you how to prepare the most mouth-watering
East Asian dishes that could also lower cholesterol and blood pressure,
ease colds and coughs and strengthen the immune system. Filled with
many light comfort foods, this book has enough in it to cool you down
on hot summery days and fill you with energizing warmth on cold wintry
nights.'
Madhur Jaffrey
'The concept of medicinal foods, so prominent in
Chinese medicine and the inspiration for the developing market for
functional foods in the West, is here presented in all its richness
by a master cook. Nina Simonds' recipes are recipes for health as
well as for sensory delight. This book will be a classic.'
Andrew Weil, M.D
'At last a book inspired by the Asian holistic philosophy
of eating foods that are good for us. A guide to understand how to
balance yin and yang – full of ancient wisdom. Nina's infectious
enthusiasm and delicious seasonal recipes nourish us and energize
us.'
Darina Allen
'...one of our favourite publishers worldwide
for their utmost care and expertise in publishing the best possible
books. Every year Absolute Press keeps the same high standards. The
subjects are often ahead of new trends.'
Edouard Cointreau,
Chairman, World Gourmand Cookbook Awards
