The Sweet Spot: Asian-Inspired Desserts - Hardcover

Ong, Pichet; Ko, Genevieve

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060857676 ISBN 13: 9780060857677

Publisher: William Morrow & Company, 2007

Synopsis

When it comes to Asian desserts, most Americans think of fortune cookies. But, in fact, the Far East is home to a dazzling array of sweets rich with tropical fruits, crunchy nuts, aromatic spices, and, yes, even chocolate.

In The Sweet Spot, renowned pastry chef Pichet Ong presents a collection of one hundred recipes for cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, puddings, ice creams, candies, and more. There are traditional Asian desserts with innovative twists, such as Sesame Balls, Mango Sticky Rice, and Almond Tofu, and classic American favorites, like Spiced Coconut Brownies, Banana Cream Pie, and Cream Puffs, livened up with Asian ingredients and cooking techniques.

Eschewing the heavy use of butter and sugar, Ong instead highlights the vibrant flavors of Asia--jasmine, lychee, orange blossom water, passion fruit, yuzu, mangosteen, and sesame, to name just a few. And despite the complexity of flavors and textures, all of the recipes are easy enough to make in home kitchens, requiring minimal effort for maximum results. Dazzle dinner-party guests with elegant showstoppers--Thai Tea White Chocolate Tart, Coconut Cream Pie with Toasted Jasmine Rice Crust--or delight the family with simple weeknight treats--Pomegranate Sherbet, Ginger Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

The Sweet Spot includes lush color photographs of almost all of the finished dishes, and a foreword from legendary restaurateur and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Savory Asian cuisine has been popular in America for years. Now it's time to embrace the enticing range of exotic desserts.

About this title

Review:

"Pichet covers the Asian dessert idiom..." -- Bobby Flay

... a unique cookbook that bridges East and West. -- Library Journal

"An original must have dessert book!" -- Sherry Yard, pastry chef & author of The Secrets of Baking

... a unique cookbook that bridges East and West.--Library Journal

"Pichet brings his Asian roots and sensibility to create incredible desserts that are both comforting and refreshing..."--Emily Luchetti, executive pastry chef, Farallon Restaurant

"You will be thrilled whenever you make any of these wonderful, super-delicious, desserts."--Maida Heatter, author of Maida Heatter's Book of Great Chocolate Desserts

"An amazing debut from a leading authority and innovator. Pichet demystifies Asian desserts and excites us with updated classics. Bravo!"--Susanna Foo

"An original must have dessert book!"--Sherry Yard, pastry chef & author of The Secrets of Baking

"Pichet manages to brilliantly realize the grand potential of combining eastern and western cuisine."--Nancy Silverton

."..filled with recipes that are at once innovative and comforting."--O magazine

About the Author:

Pichet Ong is a graduate of Brandeis University and the University of California at Berkeley. He has worked in many of America's top restaurants, including Chez Panisse, Jean Georges, La Folie, and Spice Market. Ong's work has been featured in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Food Arts, the Wall Street Journal, Elle, Saveur, and the New York Times. He was named one of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America by Pastry Arts & Design. He is the chef and owner of P*ONG, a dessert spot in New York City.

Genevieve Ko is a graduate of Yale University. She is a freelance food writer and a consultant to chefs and restaurants. She lives in New York City.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0060857676
• ISBN 13: 9780060857677
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 292