Asian Tapas: Small Bites, Big Flavors

Tapas, the bar snacks that are a time-honored tradition in Spain, have gained a foothold in cuisines and restaurants around the world--even in many parts of Asia. This book collects small dishes from countries like India, Japan and Bali, offering seafood-heavy selections such as Fresh Salmon Salad Rolls and Spicy Fish Cakes with Coconut and Coriander. Poultry, pork and beef also have a strong presence, appearing in Malaysian Beef Satays with Spicy Peanut Sauce and a Smoked Turkey and Green Mango Salad. Apart from the expected rolls, salads and skewers, the book also covers creative sweet dishes like playful Fruit Cookie Lollipops and a time-intensive Coconut Pannacotta with Lavender Jelly, Mangosteen Meringue and Melted Chocolate. Every recipe is photographed in full color and presented in a beautiful, extravagant manner that will challenge all but the most artistically inclined cooks. Home cooks, meanwhile, may struggle just to find the ingredients. Many items are only available in specialty ethnic markets and some, such as the wagyu or sukiyaki beef in Japanese Beef Salad Rolls, are highly expensive. In addition, the authors don't always offer substitution suggestions. Delicious as many of these dishes appear, all but the most intrepid chefs will probably prefer to try them at a restaurant, leaving the preparation to expert chefs with fully-stocked pantries.