Sam Choy's Island Flavors

This is not a diet book, but it is great for the evenings you have company over and want to WOW them with a minimal amount of work. The Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms with Mango Bearnaise Sauce is worth the price of the book. A close second is the Ahi Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing (translation: seared ahi on a salad of radishes, cabbage, sprouts, and green onions tossed with a spicy peanut, cilantro dressing - it's killer). The Macadamia Crusted Mahimahi with Coconut Cream Spinach Sauce is so easy and will really impress the in-laws.

Other dishes regularly made at our house include: Seared Albacore Tuna with Coconut Ginger Sauce, Roasted Chicken with Macadamia Nut Stuffing, both of his recipes for BBQ pork ribs, and Sesame Ginger Snap Peas.

I really can't say enough about what a great and easy cookbook this is. Every recipe I have tried from it is a "make againer". The next recipe I have flagged to try is something he calls My Kids' Favorite Seafood Lasagne. It has scallops, shrimp, mahimahi, and salmon smothered with great sounding white sauce and lots of cheese and pasta - is your mouth watering yet?


Big Recipe Book from Hawaii   February 12, 2001
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Hawaii's master chef, Sam Choy, brings his famous poke and other Island fare to us mainlanders.

Not your usual recipe followed by full-page photo, this book rather gives just tons of recipes and limited color photos.

Over 300 pages of tropical fair, highlighted by mainly fruit and seafood dishes, exotically prepared. Try his Cold Papaya, Mango and Cape Goosberry Bisque, it is so good and refreshing. With all the availablity of tropical fruits and good seafood to most regions of the country, this fare is ours now in our own homes.

To date, the dishes are relatively easy to prepare, and sumptuous and so unique to consume. Outstanding is the Baked Whole Snapper with Coconut Milk and the Chicken Hekka, a standard Hawaiian party dish.

For dessert the Pineapple Coconut Yum Yum was aptly named. A Drinks section completes the book has some outstanding offerings --- especially get into the LavaFlow--Get It While Its Hot and Tropical Crab Itch.


Way to Go Sammy!   July 7, 2000
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I've been a fan of Sam Choi for several years and own several of his cook books. Let me tell you how happy I was when I learned that Sam had written a new book filled with his culinary creations. This book is very basic (few fancy photos), but it seems to contain most of Sammy's traditional, classic Hawaiian dishes. You've definately got to try some of his beef or chicken recipes (wow!). Planning a trip to Hawaii or just want to eat like you're there? Then this is the cook book for you.