If you enjoy memoirs and love food, this is the book for you. Carolyn Phillips, author of the cookbook All Under Heaven, has given us another wonderful book, this one about her time, travel, love and life in Taiwan. Phillips, a white American, initially went to Taiwan as a
…more student on a one year Chinese language immersion program in the late 1970's. One year became many more and soon she was truly immersed in family, food, and friends.
Each chapter depicts her lessons learned and wisdom gained from the experience described. In addition each chapter ends with recipes related to the food mentioned. From geography to family dynamics Carolyn Phillips covers these topics as if she is a friend telling the reader about her many adventures. She peels away the layers of her culinary memories of her 8 years in Taiwan as if she were stripping an onion or sloughing the skin of a garlic clove. Phillips' words are as tantalizing as her recipes.
Measurements in the recipes are in both metric and American standard. A glossary in the back clarifies some of the ingredients, making the recipes very approachable. Carolyn Phillips also identifies substitutions for Chinese ingredients if required.
With illustrations by the author, this is definitely a memoir to be kept in the kitchen and used often as well as one to be read aloud with your favorite culinary friend. (less)
.png)