The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine And Culture In Southern California's Little Saigon - Softcover

Le, Ann

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37 ratings by Goodreads

9780762738311: The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine And Culture In Southern California's Little Saigon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0762738316 ISBN 13: 9780762738311

Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr, 2006

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There''s a rule followed by savvy diners looking for the ultimate in ethnic authenticity: Eat where the locals eat. The Little Saigon Cookbook takes you inside the local restaurants in Southern California''s Little Saigon, the site of the largest single population of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam. Joel Rubin of The Los Angeles Times describes this enclave as "a tour through the extraordinary." From the French-inspired bakeries, the lunch delis, and the food courts, to the weekend mayhem of the Pho house and wedding receptions at the boisterous seafood restaurants, these are the "extraordinary" meals that Vietnamese diners and others in the know enjoy every day.

This book offers dozens of family recipes, many surviving through oral history alone, that Vietnamese cooks brought to America in the massive emigration that occurred after Saigon fell to Communist forces in 1975. It takes readers on a tour of culinary landmarks and introduces them to the abundance of authentic dishes found in Little Saigon: hot and crispy Vietnamese crepes down Bolsa Avenue; crunchy, tangy chicken and cabbage goi salad from the Asian Mall; picture-perfect arrangements of rice-paper spring rolls (goi cuon) from the Buddhist Temple; plump prawns stir-fried with long beans; perfectly braised pork in caramel sauce; spicy squid combined with fresh sweet basil and coriander from a wedding reception''s lazy Susan; and from the Noodle House, secrets to preparing the famous meal-in-a bowl, Pho.

Interwoven among the recipes is a detailed history of Little Saigon, with an insider''s look into the second fastest growing Asian minority group in the United States. A helpful introduction to the basics of Vietnamese cooking--discussing traditional ingredients, seasonal produce, proper combinations of herbs and spices, and sauces--demystifies this wonderful cuisine so readers can create their own Vietnamese dishes, just like the locals.
"For a long time when someone asked which was the best Vietnamese restaurant, I answered that it was the nearest one." --Jim Dixon, Food Writer, RealGoodFood.com

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From the Back Cover:

As featured on the Los Angeles Times website! For authentic Vietnamese food savvy diners need look no further than Southern California's Little Saigon. From the French-inspired bakeries, the coffeehouses, and the food courts, to the weekend mayhem of the noodle houses and wedding receptions at boisterous seafood restaurants, The Little Saigon Cookbook takes you inside this spectacular enclave and introduces you to the extraordinary meals that Vietnamese diners and others in the know enjoy every day.
The Le family was one of the first to settle and work in Little Saigon after fleeing Vietnam as boat people in 1975. With this cookbook, Ann Le shares the family recipes that she grew up with - many of which survived through oral history alone. She also provides insider tidbits on this wonderful cuisine so home cooks can create their own Vietnamese dishes, just like the locals. Try these Vietnamese favorites at home:
Traditional Shredded Chicken and Cabbage Salad
Grilled Beef with Lemongrass and Garlic
Rice Flour Crepes with Mushrooms and Ground PorkBeef PhoBraised Eggplant and Tofu in Caramel Sauce
Vietnamese Water Spinach Saut�ed with Garlic
Steamed Tilapia with Ginger, Scallions, and Onions
Drunken CrabWarm "Shaking Beef" Salad with Watercress and TomatoesChicken Braised in Ginger and CoconutCrispy Coconut and Turmeric CrepesBanana Tapioca in Coconut MilkFresh Avocado Shake

About the Author:

Ann Le has lived most of her life in the area of Southern California known as Little Saigon, where her family moved in 1975 right after the fall of Saigon. She grew up eating and cooking Vietnamese food and is acquainted with many of the people and restaurant owners in the Little Saigon community. She speaks and writes Vietnamese fluently.

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