The Cultural Revolution Cookbook

During China’s chaotic Cultural Revolution (1966-76), when approximately 17 million city youth were “sent down” to the countryside to “learn from the peasants,” they discovered that toil in the communes was arduous and food was scarce. But many also learned that remarkably tasty and healthy dishes could be prepared with the fresh, wholesome ingredients available down on the farm. They learned to coax peak flavors and maximum nourishment out of unprocessed foods, fresh from the fields, ponds and streams and devoid of artificial preservatives.

The Cultural Revolution Cookbook tells their stories through the dishes they learned to make from their peasant hosts. The recipes are all entirely authentic and easy to prepare in an American kitchen. Many are vegetarian, and none requires exotic ingredients. You can find everything you need in a well-stocked grocery store. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and short cuts and substitutions are suggested.

Readers are also treated to many inspirational stories — about Chinese food, about the Cultural Revolution and about living in the Chinese countryside — bringing the wonderful recipes, and that extraordinary era, to life.