Cook Your Way Around the World with Exotic Table
Exotic Table P. 300, Hardcover, 100+ Recipes, Fully Illustrated. (Details on book and Aliya LeeKong; purchase via )
Exotic Table – Flavors, Inspiration, and Recipes from Around the World – to Your Kitchen, was introduced to the world in 2013 by the author, Aliya LeeKong. The cookbook received nationwide acclaim for making international flavors as familiar as they are exciting. Exotic Table was named “Best of the Best” by Food & Wine magazine in 2014; the prestigious award selects the top 25 cookbooks in the U.S. each year.
Let’s listen in on this video by Aliya LeeKong and listen to what she as to say about her cooking style:
The Chief Blonde Remarks:
I was sent a copy of the Exotic Table so I could visit culinary delights from around the world from my kitchen. I was mesmerized by the recipes. I wasn’t really sure I would have the ingredients to make anything from the book, but as I paged through, I found I had almost every ingredient for many recipes and I would just have to nip out and buy one or two (mostly the fresh items).
LeeKong gives a brief intro to each recipe which really helps you to define the location of the world that inspired the creation along with get a feel for how the recipe will appeal to your senses. For example, on the recipe I choose to make from page 133, “Chicken Salad with Bacon, Walnuts and Fruit”, Aliya writes
“Here, instead of mayonaise, toasted walnuts are spun in the food processor with pita soaked in milk to form the base. I added bacon and shallot for smoke and crunch, and the fruit adds a sweet, watery bite to the salad. This is fantastic in a sandwich or by itself with some greens.”
Is your mouth watering yet? Check out some of these other creations from the book:
Left to Right: p. 118, Butterflied Za’atar Roast Chicken; p. 72 Massaged Kale Sald with Pear, Fresh Cheese and Pomegranate Vinaigrette; p. 300, Cherry-Yuzu Champagne Floaters
You will love the little tips she sprinkles throughout to ensure you understand why you are preparing a particular ingredient as she suggests. I found each recipe to be quite sexy in it’s presentation and illustration. You will find this book a feast for the eyes as well as the palette in my opinion. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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UPDATE: This post originally had a $104 4 cookbook giveaway attached. The rafflecopter entry device has been removed and had 2631 entries. See Giveaway Winners.
I love to travel but I don’t always have the time or money to do so. This book would allow me to travel the world from my kitchen!
I like trying new recipes for my family because we are tried of eating the same food everyday. We love exotic food.
I love it that the author traveled all over the world to give us these amazing recipes, so awesome, thanks!
I love to travel and try new foods from various cultures! I love exotic spice blends and food combinations!
I am always looking to expand my culinary knowledge and one way I do this is I collect (hoard) cookbooks. I especially LOVE exotic recipes giving me a chance to shop at my local oriental market!
I love the wide variety of types of recipes!
Let’s face it, we all get stuck in cooking rut. I like the idea to add some exotic meal to my family’s table every now and them.
I love that it introduces exotic items and dishes in a way that isn’t overwhelming!! I love anything user friendly and easy to comprehend but it is especially fabulous when trying something new!!
I’m always on the hunt for new recipes. I like hunting for old handmade cookbooks at flea markets.
I like that you not only get the recipes but also the stories behind them! I love reading about where the inspiration for a recipe comes from so this would be so interesting!
Wow! Exotic Table is very well organised. I skimmed through a few pages via Amazon and was really impressed to see how personal the book is written. I love that!
I love that it uses simple techniques to create meals from around the globe. I definitely need it to be simple!
I know it sounds stupid but I love cookbooks that are hardcover because I beat the crap out of softcover books while cooking with them, lol. It sounds like the meals are exotic but easy enough so that it looks like you slaved all day long but really didn’t. Those are my favorite recipes!! Lol!!
I really like the idea of all the different global recipes. I tend to get into ruts and always cook what I know how to do. I love the idea of traveling around the world with recipes.
I like how the reviews are so positive and people talk about the incredible diversity of recipes in the book.
I like that she was trained in French technique. Look forward to seeing how she applies it.
I like that the book goes into helping you use recipes on a daily basis to inspire and fulfill the cooking purpose.
I love using spices in my cooking and I love ethnic dishes, so I would love to try these dishes.
I love trying new recipes for my family. This would be great
i like that this cookbook is not specifically targeted at one genre of food–there are recipes from all over the world!