ChineseCookingDemystified
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So... a book.
🕑 Added 2020-08-26 04:50:22 +0000 UTCWe’re writing a book. Or at least, we’re going to try.
We explored the possibility of going the normal publishing route with book proposals and so forth, and while we did make some progress, ultimately we felt that going that route would end up either (A) hurting the quality of the content that we put up on YouTube or (B) leaving us with a book that we wouldn’t be proud of.
So continuing on the ongoing trend of ‘Chris and Steph are apparently bad at making money', we’ve decided to be… weird. I’ve always had the story of how Andy Weir wrote The Martian in the back of my head, and it’s an approach that (1) I’ve always been interested in and (2) probably won’t work at all in the cooking space lol. But we’ll try something similar out anyways.
What we’ve decided to do is this: we’re going to write and release stuff here on Patreon as we finish it. The book is going to be a look at forty flavor profiles throughout the country – each chapter will go into the flavor profile, give a bit of background, then give 2-4 recipes using that flavor combination. For those new to Chinese cooking, we also want the book to be a guide of sorts to Chinese supermarkets, so we’ll also include a long ‘master list’ of ingredients with descriptions on what they are, how to use them etc, together with information on what flavor profiles use them.
Once we finish everything, we’ll compile everything into a manuscript for a completed book and go around to publishers with that. If we can’t find a publisher, then we’ll just format it as an e-book and sell on Amazon or something. We’ve estimated that – without sacrificing quality on the YouTube front – this project will likely take us a bit over two years.
We’re actually really excited to go this route, because we think that this’ll make for the best book possible. As we write, you guys can ask questions, call us out if you think something’s wrong, test some of the recipes & give feedback, etc etc.
Word of warning though – the chapters we release here probably won’t be the final order that we’ll have in the book. We’re just going to do the flavor profiles that we’re the most interested in at the time, then we’ll rearrange later.
Introduction will be out later today. Feedback is always welcome, just remember that it’s early stages :)
Comments
BerBer Xue
I’m so excited! The Woks of Life cookbook just came out and now Demystifying Chinese cooking is coming out too! I’m from Sichuan so very excited to see what you’ll choose for the region/flavour profile. Happy to help recipe test if you need!
Sandra Baumgartner
You've both got the skills to do a fantastic job. Thank you!
Ricky P
If you’re going to do a guide to chinese supermarket, can you also do a guide to online shopping as well?
Dan Pierson
I've got and used one of Fucia Dunlop's (Every Grain of Rice), the other I look to most is Carolyn Phillips All Under Heaven.
Do it. There’s a relative dearth of authentic Chinese recipes available in the US. I’ve cooked through most of Fucia Dunlop’s books (which are great!) but I’d love to buy yours too! I love a challenge!
This is really exciting news. Good luck with it!
I'd love something formatted like the Mission Chinese Food Cookbook - that is, part writing about the food/culture, partly recipes. I'm so excited for this! HMU if you're looking for graphic designers/recipe testers!
Dan Pierson
Sounds great. I hope you fail at not making money from it :=)
Gotta say, I'm really excited for this 🙂
Manuel Fihman
Wonderful news!
Dana Coe
Sounds great. It is going to be a challenge because so much of the YouTube content is so visual. When will the first recipes come along? How much will they resemble the reddit posts that accompany the videos? In fact, with precise cuts from the videos and arranging, heck you probably have most of the material already at hand. An extensive master ingredient list will be something to think about.
Stealthflower
Hooray! I'm really looking forward to both reading the individual posts, and the finished book. Given physical shipping costs to aus, I hope the final version ends up with an ebook option, but you guys need to do what'll be right for you.
Adrian Preece
Yes! This is an amazing concept. Your videos help make the topic of Chinese cooking accessible to someone who knew very little outside of West Chinese food at the start. And the supermarket section will be great, I enjoyed your video on the Us Chinese supermarket from a few years ago, but increasing the info on what you need and what makes for a good product will be fabulous. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I look forward to being here for the ride and then buying the book in the end
Olivier
That’s a great idea! Can’t wait to see the final result! (If you need someone to help with layouting, hit me up ;))
Cheucher Herdelle
This is absolutely fantastic news! Can't wait to see where this takes you guys!
James Atlas
Very excited to support this
Sounds like a plan! Very exciting.
Matthew
Love it!
