Beth Fish Reads: Weekend Cooking: Review: The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook by Jaden Hair

28 August 2010

Weekend Cooking: Review: The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook by Jaden Hair

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

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If you have ever explored the cooking blogs, then I'm sure you've come across The Steamy Kitchen, the blog and website written by Jaden Hair. The tag line for Jaden's blog is "Fast, Fresh, and Simple," which is what most of us are looking for.

When I learned Jaden had written a cookbook, I knew I had to have it. As the subtitle for The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook proclaims, the recipes are indeed "simple enough for tonight's dinner." As one comes to expect from Tuttle Publishing, the book is absolutely beautifully put together: stunning photographs of every main dish, and chapters that explain all the ingredients, basic sauces, and spice mixtures.

One of the things I really love about The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook is the step-by-step photographs of special techniques, such as how to make a summer roll, how to shape dumplings for potstickers, and how to devein shrimp. Throughout you'll also find great tips for substituting ingredients, buying Asian vegetables, and determining cooking times.

Although Jaden emphasizes Asian flavors, many of the dishes are based on familiar standbys: Baked Crispy Chicken with Citrus Teriyaki Sauce, Korean BBQ-Style Burgers, Beer Steamed Shrimp with Garlic, and Hoisin, and Honey Glazed Baby Back Ribs. At the end of each recipe introduction, you'll find suggestions for accompanying dishes, which is great for cooks who are just learning about some of these flavors and ingredients.

I made the Shrimp Pad Thai (the dish shown on the book cover), and it was easy, fast, beautiful, and delicious. I also made Grilled Lamb Chops with Asian Pesto (yum!). Instead of sharing a recipe with you, I'm posting a short video of the Betty Crocker Test Kitchen trying out a steak recipe that you'll find on page 90 of Jaden's book.

Looks delicious and not at all difficult. Jaden's easygoing personality comes out in her writing and on her blog.

The Steamy Kitchen at an Indie

The Steamy Kitchen at Powell's

The Steamy Kitchen at Book Depository
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17 comments:

JoAnn, 8/28/10, 6:58 AM: This is definitely one for my wishlist! Any Pad Thai is a popular choice with my family.
caite, 8/28/10, 8:11 AM: hmmmm...I love Pad Thai. Fresh, fast and simple Pad Thai sounds very good.
Peaceful Reader, 8/28/10, 9:16 AM: This cookbook sounds lovely. I'll have to add to my wishlist.
Julie P., 8/28/10, 10:16 AM: This sounds perfect for me. Unfortunately, our library doesn't have a copy. I wanted to check it out before buying!
Christine, 8/28/10, 3:24 PM: I have cooked from this cookbook, too, and can attest to the fact that it is fantastic! All of the recipes are amazing. Simple, fresh, healthy and delicious! I borrowed the cookbook from my library, but have it on my wish list to buy!
Gilion at Rose City Reader, 8/28/10, 5:03 PM: I'll be cooking all day today -- processing bounty from the farmers' market. If I come across a good recipe, I'll do a Weekend Cooking post tomorrow. Double the fun!
Ruth, 8/28/10, 6:31 PM: Just linked up for the first time! Blessings to everyone.
Vasilly, 8/28/10, 10:29 PM: This cookbook looks amazing!I'm adding this to my TBR list.
Jane in AUSTRALIA, 8/29/10, 5:14 AM: looks great. I am going to check the website.
I am about to launch a made-over blog on 1st September.
However I wanted to share this weekend's cooking & resolve.
auntie-c, 8/29/10, 11:32 AM: Will definitely check out this cookbook. Dishes that are simple to prepare, yet healthy and delicious... I'm all about that!
Heather, 8/29/10, 7:40 PM: I love Jaden's blog and have followed it for years. She is so fun. I'm glad to hear her cookbook is so great! I love the sound of that Pad Thai. :)
nat @book, line, and sinker, 8/29/10, 8:17 PM: my post was from earlier in the week but i missed participating in this fun feature! i love this cookbook and really have to review some cookbooks in the near future. i'm looking forward to smitten kitchen's new cookbook--i love her blog. :) happy weekend!
The Reading Momster, 8/30/10, 1:46 AM: Wow, this is a new blog. Thanks for the link. Recipe does look yummy.
dining table, 8/30/10, 8:31 AM: This new blog is going to be one of my favorite. I will going to visit this blog more often because I know that all post are going to be so amazing just like this post.
S. Krishna, 8/30/10, 8:46 AM: I do love Jaden's blog, so I have been wanting her cookbook for awhile - I don't really have a good Asian cookbook!
Heather, 8/30/10, 11:46 PM: Sounds like a good book. The front cover picture is amazing. So bright and colourful.

Thanks so much for adding my link. Camping was great, no rain for a change. Even managed to keep the shrimp frozen in the cooler until I was ready to cook them.
Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks, 9/1/10, 4:12 PM: all I can say is YUM!

I'm glad more and more cookbook authors are making short videos. I watched a canning demo last night, and realized I've been holding my canning tongs upside down - oops!