I grew up in the Midwest what feels like a long time ago, and we never ate Chinese food. I’m not sure why, but it just wasn’t something we did as a family. It wasn’t until I was out on my own that I decided to try to order Chinese food, like I had seen in so many movies. It felt big to me, like I was far more sophisticated and important than I really was. But once I tried it, I feel in love with the flavors and I haven’t stopped eating it since. But aside from one ambitious weekend, where I decided to make my own egg rolls and sesame chicken, I haven’t cooked much Chinese food aside from a very simple fried rice. So when I saw this cookbook, I had to take a look.

Easy Chinese Cookbook is exactly what it says it is. It’s a collection of favorite recipes that most people (like me) just order from a restaurant. But author Chris Toy makes these foods accessible to cooks with less experience with Asian cuisine, offering up tasty recipes for dishes like Pot Stickers, Wonton Soup, General Tso’s Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Garlic Scallops, Egg Foo Young, and Shrimp Lo Mein.

Toy knows just what our questions are and he’s prepared with all the answers. What do I need in the pantry for cooking Chinese food? What equipment do I need? Do I have to have a wok? What is up with MSG anyway? He covers all of that and even includes a handful of sauce recipes, so we can make our own Sweet and Sour Duck Sauce or Hot Mustard. The only things missing are the fortune cookies and instructions on using chopsticks (I have some coordination issues, so I never have mastered those things; although to be fair, sometimes I’m a little messy with a fork too).

Easy Chinese Cookbook has several drool-worthy photos of beautiful food, to help inspire the cooking, and there are even recipes (clearly labeled) that are vegetarian, soy-free, gluten-free, and (my favorite) 30 minute or less. So if you’ve ever wanted to try to cook your favorite Chinese foods at home, this is the cookbook to get. It will get you started making those favorite restaurant recipes so you can impress family and friends (and yourself!) with genuinely tasty dishes that you never thought you’d be able to cook yourself!

A copy of Easy Chinese Cookbook was provided to me from Rockridge Press through the Callisto Publishing Club, with many thanks.