[.ca] Tetsuya (ISBN 1580082947)

From Amazon.com:
Tetsuya Wakuda is a true artist. Inspired by the ingredients native to his adopted country (Australia) and the techniques and flavors of his birthplace (Japan), Tetsuya combines them to complement and highlight each other in the simplest ways to bring out the most complicated flavors. For those of us unfamiliar with his reputation, Tetsuya comes with a glowing forward by Charlie Trotter that refers to Tetsuya in the same breath as Alain Ducasse, Daniel Boulud, and Thomas Keller, and rightly so. Tetsuya's presentation is perfection. Details like minute brunoise and matchstick julienne are beautiful to behold, but it's his ethereal marinades and his thoughtful use of ingredients like fresh ginger, garlic, soy, mirin, and wasabi that make his dishes so memorable, and that allow us mere mortals to follow his recipes successfully. At Tetsuya, meals are presented as numerous small dishes, but you can multiply any of his recipes to work as main courses. Linguine with a Ragout of Oriental Mushrooms is simple to prepare and bursts with the rich, earthy flavor of exotic mushrooms brightened by hints of garlic, sake, mirin, tomato, and chile. Tartare of Tuna with Goat Cheese requires sushi-quality tuna, so if you can get it, this dish is quick and easy and luscious with fresh, creamy goat cheese and lively with cayenne, garlic, ginger, white pepper, and anchovies. Not all of Tetsuya's creations are Asian influenced. There are many magnificent European-style dishes, like a Salad of Sea Scallops with Asparagus and Beans, Venison with Roasted Shallots and Morels, and Granny Smith Apple Sorbet with Sauternes Jelly. Stunning photographs of dreamy dishes and delightful bits of commentary separate recipes laid out like poetry to make this a culinary page-turner and a gift-worthy book. Without a doubt, Tetsuya would make an exciting addition to the kitchen collection of gourmets who love to cook with ingredients like market-fresh produce, sushi-quality fish and shellfish, fresh venison, squab, and guinea fowl. --Leora Y. Bloom

Just missed the mark!:
Altough this is a beautifully illustrated book, I found that the recipes I tried seemed to just miss the mark. I am an experienced Asian cook and have lots of knowledge of fresh Asian ingredients so I was not daunted by the recipes. When each dish was completed it looked beautiful but tasted as if something was missing. I have tried recreating several of the dishes to no avail. Puzzling!

Oriental haute cuisine with no gimmicks, by a master:
Two weeks ago my girlfriend Snow and I dined at Tetsuya's new restaurant Mju at the Millenium Knightsbridge Hotel in London, prompted by Snow's raving of Tetsuya from her winters in Sydney. The only dining option is an eight-mini-course tasting menu, but since the man himself was in town (Tetsuya spends only one week a month in London) we were all for it. We thought the portions were adequate, but I suspect people used to NYC portions might go home hungry. I must say that his cuisine was awesome - highlighting the flavors of fresh ingredients, and many of the courses were based on raw or undercooked items. Although the presentation of the food was highly stylised - just look at the photos in the cookbook and they are similarly presented at your table - the cooking is unfussed and the philosophy predominantly reflected the Japanese appreciation for simplicity and French classical culinary techniques. The result was that every dish managed to emphasize yet enhance the flavor of the main ingredient. Compared to Nobu, Tetsuya is hardly fusion and very Asian at heart. Most of the courses served at Mju are included in the cookbook, so we know that these recipes have been tried and tested. What's most gratifying is the listing at the end of the book of food sources for Mju - London lags NYC in terms of high-end food stores such as Dean & Deluca and Citarella, so the list is very useful, and it allows me to dream about learning to cook at the level of a master like Tetsuya.

Innovative:
Beautifully presented, innovative recipes, amazing combinations of flavors that one would not normally consider. I have made a number of the recipes which have won rave reviews from my guests. I love cooking and eating and found these receipes easy to follow however to get the best results one really needs to use the freshest of ingrediants. Some recipes are a little more involved and need a trial run prior to trying them on guests. One of the best cook books I have seen for some time and I have quite a few. For those that really appreciate the best in food.

Down Under Fuses with French-Oriental:
With no cooking experience, he migrates to Australia where he begins learning Aussie cooking with French techniques. Eventually, he opens his own restaurant where his style of using Australian produce with French-oriental style is lapped up as on the of best Australian dining establishments. Raved about by his buddy, Charlie Trotter. First, the design and production of this book is rich and exquisite, as most are by Ten Speed Press. The paper has an transluscence to it, and the style and photography are so well done and stylish. Even the bookjacket is folded uniquely. The ingredients are very Aussie influenced, with seafood, veal and lamb dominant, with French and Asian ingredients and techniques thrown in. Tastes are clean and pure and sparkling, very refreshing to consume. Tried so far but a few, and excited when time permits to delve into the rest. So far, tried several of the appetizers such as Marinated Trevally with Preserved Lemon is outstanding, but so many of fish dishes are dependent on having an excellent fishmonger, which we are fortunate to have one here. Main dishes completed so far with outstanding results are the Roasted Scampi Seasoned with Tea and Scampi Oil, and the Breast of Duck with Apple and Ginger Dipping Sauce. At first, this book will intimidate many with its Oriental ingedients but most major cities and with internet sources one can come up with these. Techniques are not overly difficult and the color photos show artistic plating suggestions as well as two or three wine suggestions per entree. New, exquisite menu to cook and serve to my guests. Try this one, it will pleasantly surprise and grow with you.

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