Korean Table

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY SEP 1, 2008

Cooking school teachers Chung and Samuels offer an alluring array of Korean recipes designed for the Western kitchen. As an added bonus, the authors delve into the history of the cuisine, including the importance of balance in taste and color, medicinal qualities of ingredients, and construction of the typical Korean family meal. They also include a lengthy section introducing the reader to common ingredients of the cuisine. The dishes, some traditional, some modernized for contemporary tastes, are what the authors call a "starter kit": the building blocks essential to Korean cooking. Staples include Kimchi Paste, Soy Scallion Dipping Sauce and a collection of homemade stocks. Because Korean meals often include a minimum of five dishes, recipes are quick and accessible. Some, such as Korean Dumplings, include handy sidebars with instructions on technique. Others, such as Asparagus Salad, Korean Hot Wings, and Stir Fried Beef with Vegetables clearly appeal to the American sense of familiarity, albeit with a Korean flair. For the more adventurous, recipes such as Roasted Corn Tea, Kimchi Soup, and Warm and Spicy Squid Salad are sure to appeal. Complete with full-color photos throughout, this collection offers a welcome and undaunting introduction into Korean cuisine.