Review: Iron Chen Chen's Knockout Chinese by Kenichi, Chen

     Iron Chen Chen's Knockout Chinese by Chen Kenichi, is the legendary Iron Chef Chinese's first english language cookbook release. Unless your fluent in reading japanese you've probably been frustrated when learning that Chen Kenichi has had a steady release of cookbooks since the late 90's however only in japanese. Thanks to Vertical, Inc. chefs around the rest of the world have a chance at learning this beloved Iron Chef's techniques.

     A quick glance at the table of contents reveals that not only does Chen Kenichi feature his trademark Sichuan dishes that made him and his father famous but also a number of side dishes, desserts, and personal favorites.



     Finally an exact translation for Chen's authentic Mapo Tofu, which in case you didn't notice before was featured online at his restaurant chain Shisen Hanten's website.


     You can feel the japanese cuisine influence within his recepies, and his side notes give hints about technique and how his fathers recepies were adapted from the original Sichuan to locally palatable japanese versions.

     Do these deep fried morsels look familliar? They should, Chen's inventive use of Banannas and Mangos helped him win more than a just a few culinary challenges on Iron Chef Japan.

     In conclusion if your a fan of the Iron Chef Japan show this cookbook is a must. Lets hope that more of the japanese Iron Chefs will release english versions of their esteemed culinary literature.

Where to Find:
     Kinokuniya Book Stores.

Heavenly Chef Hunan Red Chili Sauce

     Heavenly Chef Hunan Red Chili Sauce, by Marathon Packing is a Chinese red chili paste local to California. I highly recommend any asian chili sauce fan to try this out, locally made its freshness can't be beat.

Taste:
     Taste is an excellent blend of red chili, garlic, vegetable oil, sugar, vinegar, and MSG. Very rich, sweet and flavorful, more so than the typical vietnamese chili sauces you find. Also noteworthy is the absence of any noticable preservative taste, which is a must have for any superior quality main dish. An abundance of rich flavor, the lack of any bitter preservative taste, and the serious heat this sauce delivers have made it a treasure of cuisine.

Heat Rating - 3 - Firecracker -
(of 0 to 4)
0 - No Heat
1 - Mild Lips
2 - Hot Lips
3 - Firecracker
4 - No Lips (Extreme precaution)

Use:
     Chili pastes and sauces are usually a component of more complex final sauces used for everything from stir-frys to soups to toppings for steamed foods and dipping sauces for deep fried items. This particular sauce works well in all these applications, but in particular steamed foods (tofu) and as a dipping sauce, or soup condiment due to its rich flavor. Please take extra care with your portioning of this sauce as it packs a heated spicy punch beneath its richness. If using in a stir-fry it is essential to have a well ventilated kitchen.

Where to Find:
     You can find it at Safeway, Raley's, and 99 Ranch supermarkets amongst others as it gains popularity.

Please take care with expiration date.

郫县豆瓣酱 Pixian Dou ban jiang , Doubanjiang

     Sichuan Pixiandouban Co. Dou ban jiang Paste, www.pxdb.com is an essential ingredient for authentic Sichuan (Szechuan) and Hunan cuisine. If you happen to be a fan of Iron Chef Chinese Chen Kenichi as I am you undoubtedly want to search this ingredient out.

Taste:
     Taste is a well balanced blend of bean and Sichuan spices, unfortunately as with many products from mainland China the preservative taste is well noticeable in the chopped chilies. That being said I prefer this paste over similar Lee Kum Kee and Dynasty pastes, that usually have a more prominent preservative taste in their bean pastes than this.

Heat Rating - 2 Hot Lips -
(of 0 to 4)
0 - No Heat
1 - Mild Lips
2 - Hot Lips
3 - Firecracker
4 - No Lips (Extreme precaution)

Use:
     Typically you want to add this paste just after stir-frying meats or to infuse oil with its flavor before adding any stock / water or additional vegetables / noodles to the wok. Please take care when using not to burn the paste and use in a well ventilated kitchen.

Where to Find:
     You can find it at SF Supermarket Stockton, CA or if your lucky at the 99 Ranch chain of supermarkets.

Please take care with expiration date.