The Art of Escapism Cooking

This unique cookbook melding cultural commentary with Asian-inspired recipes “pushes the edges of intensity in terms of flavor and fierce originality” (New York Times Book Review).

For Mandy Lee, moving from New York to Beijing for her husband’s work wasn’t an exotic adventure—it was an ordeal. Growing increasingly exasperated with China’s stifling political climate, its infuriating bureaucracy, and its choking pollution, she began “an unapologetically angry food blog,” LadyandPups.com, to keep herself from going mad.

She filled her kitchen with warming spices and sticky sauces while she shared recipes and observations about life, food, and cooking in her blog posts. Born in Taiwan and raised in Vancouver, she came of age food-wise in New York City and now lives in Hong Kong; her food reflects the many places she’s lived. This entertaining cookbook is the story of how “escapism cooking”—using the kitchen as a refuge and ultimately creating delicious meals—helped her cope with expatriate life.

Illustrated with her own gorgeous photography, here are dozens of innovative and often Asian-influenced recipes, divided into categories by mood and occasion, such as:

For Getting Out of Bed

Poached Eggs with Miso-Browned Butter Hollandaise

Crackling Pancake with Caramel-Clustered Blueberries and Balsamic Honey

For Slurping

Buffalo Fried Chicken Ramen Crab Bisque Tsukemen

For a Crowd

Cumin Lamb Rib Burger. Italian Meatballs in Taiwanese Rouzao Sauce

For Snacking

Wontons with Shrimp and Chili Coconut Oil and Herbed Yogurt Spicy Chickpea Poppers

For Sweets

Mochi with Peanut Brown Sugar and Ice Cream Recycled Nuts and Caramel Apple Cake

Mandy also demystifies unfamiliar ingredients and where to find them, shares her favorite tools, and provides instructions for essential condiments for the pantry and fridge.