cover image Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life

Yuan Wang, Warren Sheir, Mika Ono, . . Da Capo/Lifelong, $19.95 (338pp) ISBN 978-0-7382-1325-5

For the uninitiated, using Chinese herbs can be intimidating. Admitting that “entering the world of traditional Chinese medicine is like learning a new language,” the three authors of this well-penned title highlight key concepts of east Asian herbal cooking, and lucidly explain their holistic approach to cooking. Recipes from China, Japan, and Korea, arranged by course, include informative headnotes, ingredient variations, and notes on how the recipe ties into Chinese medicine. While cynics may snicker at recipe titles such as Life-Force Chicken and Mushrooms in Wine, Change-of-Pace Chicken, Mushroom and Lotus Seed Soup, Take-A-Deep-Breath Baked Lime Apple, and Expanding-Horizons Chrysanthemum Tea, dishes that may be more familiar to some American cooks, such as Korean seaweed soup, Garlic Green Beans, and pot stickers round out the offerings. A section titled “Recipes for Common Health Concerns” is a must-read, and the detailed resources/suggested places to find ingredients will get any cook well stocked for the recipes, no matter where they live. (Mar.)