On the world food day being celebrated today on 16-10-2021, I'm happy to present my book review of MOON CAKES AND MILK BREAD by Kristina Cho. She is an architect turned food blogger and an author of a cook book. Her blog "Eat Cho Food" can be read here:https://eatchofood.com/
The book as the title suggests carries with great effort and style the recipes of moon cakes and milk bread. The step by step process of the recipe is well explained with the use of images. The images are so attractive and mouth watering through out the book. In recipe the life of the dish if stored under favourable conditions are also being mentioned along with number of servings.
The book comes out of an inspiration from the Chinese bakeries and family members with whom the Author has cherished memories. The Author shares her experiences with Chinese American restaurants, grocery shops and cafes. She also gives a grand description of Asian Grocery shop and wants us to know "HOW TO SHOP AT AN ASIAN GROCERY STORE?
In "THE ART OF MOON CAKES" The symbol of Mid-Autumn festival is, without a doubt , moon cakes confirms the Author.
I quote from the book, "The author is happy to share that this book features everyday ingredients that most home cooks and bakers already have in the kitchen or can find in the neighbourhood grocery store."
Through out the book the Author has not deviated from the procedure in which she explains a recipe. If taken about a flour, she mentions about bread flour, All-purpose flour, cake flour, rice flour and glutinous rice flour. She leaves no stone unturned.
Then coming to starch, she explains how starch helps to have a chewy texture to cookies. She throws light on sweet potato starch, tapioca starch and wheat starch. Under essential equipment bamboo steamers are discussed.
"Bamboo steamers are vital for making traditional Chinese streamed buns and cakes." says the Author.
How to avoid collapsed dough?
Why use a wooden cutting board ?
No moon cake mould? No problem
pinching and pulling the dough
These are answered in a predominant way.
score and twist : talking about score and twist Author says "I highly encourage you to play around with all the design options"
Moreover the author brilliantly uses her origami skills and also presents flavour variations in bread and suggests cake styles too.
One more interesting thing is Taro . It is elaborately discussed in this book.
Rhubarb and cream cheese buns reminds me of the words of Ruskin Bond who in his book "It's wonderful life, Roads to happiness" states that it is served to him every day. I quote Rhubarb as a sweet dish, every day all summer. This was because our headmaster grew rhubarb in his back garden, and decided to inflict it on us.''
Garlic and chive whole wheat flower buns
coconut and peanut mochi balls
Pistachio palmiers
Black sesame souffle cheese cake
Honey pistachio moon cakes
Snow skin ice cream moon cakes
These tops the list of recipes given in the book as my favourites. How to handle the ice cream in Snow skin ice cream moon cakes is explained without fail. Readers can go through this book and choose their favourites. Overall this book is a one stop destination for recipes of Chinese bakeries.
(Received a copy of the book in the PDF format from Net galley in return to an honest review)
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