The Complete Stir-fry Cookbook

Wow! This cookbook is the best cookbook I own (out of 20-30) as far as layout and easy of use. Each recipe is contained on one page and has a large color photo of the result and 2-4 (usually 3) smaller color photos of various stages of preparation. Since I am a visual learner and find that pictures motivate me, I think it's worth it to spend more and get this kind of quality (if you can find it!). Each recipe has a symbol denoting the difficulty level. Instructions are clear. Many ingredients are not familiar, so I have to look them up (ex: galangal (a type of ginger), kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and make substitutions. There is an illustrated (with photos) glossary that covers everything (so far). Many of the recipes are fairly involved, like cooking the meat in batches, setting it aside, cooking the vegetables and setting them aside, then cooking the sauce and adding everything back in, but the results are wonderful and worth it. For me, it's a tasty way to get more vegetables in my diet when I don't feel like eating them raw. Highly recommended. (Note that this book is huge; approx. 11x10x1, larger than I expected. Also, my book does not list Family Circle on it, has a bright orange cover instead of white or pale gold, but like the book listed for this review, was published by Murdoch Books, 2001.)