Mandarin Way

From Front cover; "..in collaboration with Allan Carr, [Chiang] has recalled the Mandarin Way as she knew it in a memoir that eludes conventional classification -- at once a fascinating account of growing up in Old China, a re-creation of its festivals and customs, and a treasury of recipes from the classic Chinese cuisine." From Back Cover: "As one would expect, given Mme. Chiang's exceptional qualifications, much of her text is devoted to the glories and secrets of Chinese cuisine, in all its variety and irresistible savor. Between the chapters of recollections there are interludes, specifically for the gourmet cook, in which Mme. Chiang presents many of her most treasured recipes and menus. Here are T'ang-ts'u Yu (Mandarin Sweet-Sour Fish), Chiao-hua (Beggar's Chicke), Pa-szu P'ing-kuo Hsiang-chiaq (Mandarin Glaceed Apples and Bananas), and other superlative dishes that will be nostalgically familiar to patrons of her restaurants, and that will inspire any reader with a taste for grand cuisine to try them at home." **** Contents Include * Introduction * First Moon * Interlude - Of Shopping and Its Pleasures * Second Moon * Interlude - Of the Unexpected Guest and the Resourceful Hostess * Third Moon * Interlude - Of Foods for Driniking--a Cocktail Party Adapted from a Mandarin Table * Fourth Moon * Interlude - Of Peking Duck * Fifth Moon * Interlude - Of an Elderly Relative and Elegant Simplicity * Sixth Moon * Interlude - Of the Mandarin Way with Vegetables * Seventh Moon * Interlude - Some Thoughts on Desserts and a Dinner for a Distinguished Visitor * Eighth Moon * interlude - Dishes from a Mandarin Bouquet * Ninth Moon * Interlude - Of Crab Banquets and Crustaceans * Tenth Moon * Interlude - Of a Family Dinner and Firepot Cooking * Eleventh Moon * Interlude - Of Leftovers and the Good Housekeepr * Twelfth Moon * Thirteenth Moon * Most Requested Recipes from the Mandarin Restaurants

This charming little book should be on every "Asia-Holics" bookshelf. I love the way the author has arranged the book, according to all the moons of the year. Her stories of each "moon" gives us a wonderful look into the life of Chinese people the way it used to be years ago. In addition, there are wonderful traditional recipes peppered througout the book. There is a glossary of regional methods of preparing Chinese food, and a postscript on practical shopping. I am thoroughly happy with my purchase!