Fuchsia Dunlop

Land of Plenty

"It is a very long time since I saw a book which is so patently an absolute 'must.'"—Alan Davidson, author of The Oxford Companion to Food

The food of the Sichuan region in southwest China is one of the world's great culinary secrets. Many of us know it for its "hot and spicy" reputation or a few of its most famous dishes, most notably Kung Pao chicken, but that is only the beginning. Sichuanese cuisine is legendary in China for its sophistication and astounding diversity: local gourmets claim the region boasts 5000 different dishes. And it's not just about the kick of fiery red chiles and numbing Sichuan pepper: local chefs use unparallelled flavoring techniques to create at least twenty-three distinct flavor combinations, from sour-sweet, melting "lychee flavor" to punchy, seductive "fish-fragrant flavor."

Fuchsia Dunlop fell in love with Sichuanese food on her first visit to the province ten years ago. The following year she went to live in the Sichuanese capital Chengdu, where she became the first foreigner to study full-time at the province's famous cooking school, the Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine. She spent her spare time studying in the kitchens of some of the region's most famous restaurants, exploring street markets and food stalls, and cooking and eating with her Sichuanese friends in their homes. Her passionate enthusiasm for the food and fluency in the Chinese language gave her unprecedented access to China's most vibrant culinary region.

Now for the first time in the English language, she has given us a cookbook gathered on the spot from the kitchens of Sichuan, filled with stories and colorful descriptions of the region itself. Written with the support of leading Sichuanese chefs and scholars, and researched entirely from local sources, Land of Plenty offers a clear and fascinating introduction to the real Sichuanese cuisine.

Useful for the enthusiastic beginner as well as the experienced cook, Land of Plenty teaches you not only how to prepare the Sichuan recipes but also the art of chopping and to appreciate the textures of dishes. Cook up a genuine Pock-marked Mother Chen's bean curd or a Twice-cooked pork, make the fiery Dan Dan noodles which are traditionally sold by Sichuanese street vendors. Try out delicious and easy-to-make recipes for appetizers like Sweet-and-Sour Red Peppers and stir-fries or take on the challenge of the famous tea-smoked duck. And if you like to read cookbooks at night, just curl up in bed and savour the stories and adventures that will transport you to another world.

Among this book's unique features: a full glossary of Chinese terms; Chinese characters useful for shopping; a practical introduction to the art of cutting; detailed lists of the 23 recognized flavor combinations and 56 cooking methods used in Sichuanese cuisine; 16 color pictures of the ingredients and finished dishes; double-page maps of the region; and Chinese characters for every recipe.

"Now, out of the blue, we have a seminal exploration of one of China's great regional cuisines, written with intelligence, sympathy, and impressive attention to the smallest details. In short, it's been years since a cookbook has excited me as much as this one." —John Thorne, author of The Outlaw Cook

"Fuchsia Dunlop's book shows an understanding of Sichuan cooking that is unique to my knowledge. It's for those on the look-out for real information about one of the world's most varied, full flavored (and often misrepresented) cuisines." —Bruce Cost, author of Asian Ingredients

"It is a very long time since I saw a new book which is so patently an absolute 'must.' With this first book, Fuchsia Dunlop has immediately established a new benchmark for excellence. The depth of research and elegance of presentation conspire to make her book a real treasure." —Alan Davidson, author of The Oxford Companion to Food

"Sichuanese food has intrigued and enraptured the Western palate for ages. Now, finally a book that takes you to the source and unlocks the secrets of one of China's most celebrated cuisines." —Nina Simonds, author of A Spoonful of Ginger

"With the official publication of her first book [Land of Plenty], Fuchsia Dunlop joins the ranks of literary food writers such as Elizabeth David and Claudia Roden." —The Independent

"You may not think you need a book on the cooking of the Sichuan province in Southwest China but this small, perfect book is illuminating and appealing." —The Times [London]

"A masterly paean to the cooking of one of the least-known provinces of China and it looks set to become a classic . . . This is the cookbook you didn't know you needed." —Lindsey Bareham, winner, Glenfiddich and André Simon Awards

"Already one of the essential texts written in the English language." —Time Out

"Fuchsia Dunlop is one of Britain's best writers on Chinese food, and [Land of Plenty] makes this thrilling regional cuisine accessible to the amateur but enthusiastic . . . cook." —Guy Dimond, Food Editor, Time Out