Chinese Cuisine: The Fabulous Flavors & Innovative Recipes of North America's Finest Chinese Cook

Highly regarded owner/chef of the Philadelphia restaurant Susanna's, the author claims a unique culinary development, from a childhood in Inner Mongolia to her education in Taiwan in eight regional Chinese cuisines and finally to training at the Culinary Institute of America, where she learned to incorporate ingredients like portobello mushrooms and extra virgin olive oil into her repertoire. The recipes--for which ``freshness, simplicity, and the preservation of the uniqueness of each ingredient'' is always the aim--are organized by course (Soups; Desserts) and ingredients (Vegetables; Fish and Seafood) and preceded by helpful, anecdotal introductions. Opening with ``Dim Sum and Other Small Delights,'' Foo offers meticulous instructions on the surprisingly simple preparation of Chinese dumplings. Innovative, less expected recipes are found throughout, e.g., Jade Green Fried Rice with Crabmeat, which gains its rich color from shredded, diced spinach. Entrees are dazzling and streamlined: Prawns with Poached Pears and Curry Sauce features shrimp marinated in vodka and egg whites with a subtly flavored curry sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. Sidebars on everything from taro root to lotus describe each ingredient and detail its uses and cultural history. For both novices and aficionados, this is a splendid invitation to make Chinese food at home. Homestyle Book Club selection; author tour. (Oct.)