asian style chicken wings

Balsamic Chicken Wings excerpted from Otsumami: Japanese small bites & appetizers: Over 70 recipes to enjoy with drinks by Atsuko Ikeda. Photography by Yuki Sugiura.

Otsumami: Japanese small bites & appetizers: Over 70 recipes to enjoy with drinks

Otsumami is the Japanese term given to snacks and simple dishes, designed to be eaten alongside a drink. (“Tsumamu” means to grab something with your fingers or chopsticks so any foods that can be eaten easily in this way came to be known as “otsumami.”)

They are common at izakaya bars, pubs, and at house parties in Japan—even if you are at home having a snack with your evening drink, you are still enjoying otsumami! There are countless delicious flavour pairings to be enjoyed and included here are small bites and dishes to tempt everyone, from existing devotees of Japanese food to newcomers keen to discover more.

Popular ingredients such as dashi, ponzu, miso, soy, teriyaki, and more, all make an appearance in a myriad of mouth-watering morsels including dips, pickles, salads, gyoza and tempura, sushi and sashimi, plus beautifully presented meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan plates. Also included is a basic guide to Japanese beverages, and deliciously inventive cocktail recipes. (more…)

Chinese-Style Buffalo Wings, Chinese Takeaway in 5: 80 of Your Favourite Dishes Using Only Five Ingredients by Kwoklyn Wan. Photography by Sam Folan.

Chinese-Style Buffalo Wings, Chinese Takeaway in 5: 80 of Your Favourite Dishes Using Only Five Ingredients by Kwoklyn Wan.

Kwoklyn Wan is back with 80 classic Chinese dishes that use only five ingredients. Alongside a basic store cupboard of five essentials—salt, pepper, soy sauce, sugar and oil—you can make a feast of easy dishes using the bare minimum.

All your favourites are here—from Tom Yum Soup to Prawn Toast, Sweet Chilli Salmon and Lemon Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork Balls or Beef in Oyster Sauce, Aubergine Fritters and Chilli Ginger Crispy Tofu—and all use only five key ingredients, all of which are readily available from supermarkets or local stores.

Ditch the takeaway or delivery Chinese food and make your own at home—no fuss, less money, and more healthy.

Chinese Takeaway in 5: 80 of Your Favourite Dishes Using Only Five Ingredients is available at Amazon.com and Indigo.ca. (more…)