Recipe Weekend: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Other Curiously Named Classic Chinese Dishes: A Graphic Cookbook—26 Recipes & StoriesbyVivian Truong, Ying Chang Compestine

 Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Kensington Press via #Netgalley for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own.

Explore the unique nomenclature of traditional Chinese dishes through folklore, personal storytelling, and 26 easy-to-cook recipes in this entertaining graphic novel cookbook, perfect for lovers of comics and food.

Synopsis:

Storytelling is one of the most universal and collaborative components in every culture. In Chinese culture, dishes are often connected to a classic legend, a famous person, or a historical event, underlining the importance of food.
In this delightful graphic novel-style recipe book, Chinese American cookbook author Ying Chang Compestine explores the folkloric stories behind beloved Chinese dishes and gives easy-to-follow recipes for each, such as:

• Mapo Tofu, a savory dish named for the “old lady with a pockmarked face” who invented it
• Goubuli Baozi (translation: "ignored by doggy stuffed buns”), classic buns with minced pork and vegetables made popular by an unusually taciturn village boy
• Tear-inducing Heartbreak Jelly Noodles that combine chili oil, peppercorns, and other fiery ingredients and are believed to cure the sadness of a broken heart
• Steamed Milk Custard, one of the most beloved desserts in China, originated during the Qing Dynasty by a hungry young cattle farmer as a way to preserve milk

These are dishes Ying grew up with, cooked with her grandmother, and prepares for her own family today. Stories and recipes are illustrated and presented in panel layout, with art by award-winning children’s book illustrator Vivian Truong.

Recipe:

Review:

This is an interesting Chinese cookbook for the modern era of cooks- kids who grew up on graphic novels and who love Chinese cooking, but have no idea baout the history behind traditional dishes. The recipes are delightful, with most being quite simple, and the lore behind each recipe, is culturally rich and perfect for sharing during Chinese New Year! Our favorites in the book include Mango Lobster Spring Rolls, Lion's Head Meatballs, Forbidden Rice with Eggs and Almonds, Fortune Cookies and Rock Sugar Pears. The added topics involving chopsticks and tea ettiquette are also very helpful, to those struggling to use/understand them! The cookbook is a must for collectors and cooks alike.

A COOKBOOK FOR EVERYONE: The 26 illustrated recipes—including appetizers, main courses, and desserts—are simple and accessible, utilizing ingredients anyone can buy at their local grocery store.

About the Authors:

Ying Chang Compenstine is the author of more than twenty cookbooks and children’s books. She is based in Berkeley, California.

Vivian Truong is the London-based artist behind the graphic novels City of Dragons, Cooking with Monsters, and I Am Fun Size and So Are You! She was the UK’s official illustrator for World Book Day 2024.