Acclaimed Cookbook! Exotic Table by Aliya LeeKong

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.