Bao Family by Céline Chung is a delightful cookbook that takes readers on a journey through China’s diverse culinary landscape. Chung begins by exploring her Franco-Chinese heritage, which provides context to her unique inspiration for cooking.
For me, a good cookbook gives us insight into the author’s inspiration. Céline nails this early on as she explores how family, culture and chefs, have shaped her restaurants and recipes. Additionally, the photography that accompanies each recipe showcases the beauty and complexity of the dishes, making it easy for readers to imagine the delicious flavours.
The book is broken down into Ingredients, Breakfast, Starters, Bao & Dim Sum, Soups & Noodles, Mains, Rice & Noodles, finishing with Desserts. It provides a guide into the different regional cuisines of China and if you were ever looking to strengthen your Chinese cooking capabilities, then this book gives you a recipe for pretty much every classic Chinese dish and more.
Some of my personal favourites include the delicious marinated spicy eggplant, the iconic whole steamed fish with fragrant ginger, soy and spring onion and lastly, cumin beef.
Overall, Bao Family is an excellent cookbook that is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in Chinese cuisine, whether you’re an experienced cook looking to expand your repertoire, or a beginner looking to explore the world of Chinese cooking.
Reviewed by Robert Bromhead
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