Books & Literature

Cookbook Review: Eat California, by Vivian Lui

By Rod Lewis

Posted on January 31, 2021

COOKBOOK: From handmade tacos to Korean BBQ, this cookbook is a celebration of the diversity that makes up Californian Cuisine.

The cultural diversity of Lui's menu is sure to satisfy any foodie.

The west coast of the USA often conjures images of surfing, wineries and the bohemian lifestyle of artists and queer folk.

All these images are true, and Vivian Lui does a great job representing all of these lifestyles in her ode to California living. Capturing the diets of snow-capped-mountain dwellers to vegan conservationists, the cultural diversity of her menu is sure to satisfy any foodie.

The photography by Con Poulos highlights both the recipes and the lifestyle, while Lui’s text provide context to the recipes within each of the chapter headings. Those headings include Breakfast and Brunch, Drinks, Small Bites, Dinner, Desserts and Basics.

In her one-page introduction, Lui espouses fresh, local produce and hawking local vendors for culturally-specific ingredients or inspiration. Within each chapter, she also highlights aspects of lifestyle and produce, including Avocado Groves (page 11), Surf (page 23), Farmers’ Markets (page 100), Tacos (page 106), and more.

The hardcover makes this a heavy volume at over 220 pages, but the binding makes it easy to hold the page open to the recipe you want. Whether you’re after Fish Tacos, Tuna Bowls, Salads, Crispy Chicken or Campfire Cookies, Lui’s curated selection is sure to satisfy. My own preferences included Avocado Toast (page 13), Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes (page 41), Iced Teas (page 53), a Summer Salad (page 67), Spring Greens Soup (page 93), Crunch Wraps (page 97), Broad Bean Hummus (Page 115), and Green Pozole stew (page 143).

In the end, I opted for two recipes that shared similar ingredients. The prep time for both was way too conservative. 5-15 minute prep time was closer to 30 minutes or more, but the cooking time was accurate. The extra prep time required was well worth the effort however. Based on these two similar recipes, I’m looking forward to exploring Lui’s other recommendations.

Morning Granola (page 33)

This is a recipe to make in advance. It requires about an hour of cooking and 2 hours of cooling. It’s a deliciously textured start to the day that is both filling and enjoyable. I served it up with almond milk because the recipe recommends a nut milk. The added flavour of the almond milk was perfect. For those who prefer something sweeter, add a teaspoon of sugar when serving it up. The mixture of nuts and seeds is enough sustenance to see you through the morning and beyond.

California Bars (page 103)

These bars are very similar to the Granola, only hardened and cut into snack bars that are sure to fill an empty stomach and give you enough energy to see you through the day. The 15-minute prep time is far from accurate, but the 20-minute cooking time is spot on. The mixture of oats, seeds, nuts and berries tastes delicious and curbs any cravings. These healthy bars can be eaten at breakfast, lunch, or as a snack throughout the day. I love the simplicity of this recipe. These bars are easy to make, yet are filling enough to replace a meal. Nuts can be high in calories so anyone on a diet may want to check the calorie count, but I suspect this is a superb addition to most diets.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Distributed by: Simon & Schuster Australia
Released: November 2020
RRP: $49.99 hardcover