Vietnamese cuisine might rightfully be called the freshest food in Asia, as almost every dish comes accompanied by a complementary salad bowl of lettuce greens and fresh herbs. Influenced by the classic cuisines of France and China, Vietnamese cooking is surprisingly subtle, lacking in the chilies that feature so prominently in the foods of other Southeast Asian countries. Vietnamese Home Cooking will show you how easy it is to create the delicate taste of Vietnam in your own kitchen, using the unique blend of fresh herbs with sweet and salty sauce dressings. Simple step-by-step instructions, beautiful photographs, and an extensive guide to Vietnamese ingredients make it easy to prepare vibrant salads, delicious main dishes, refreshing drinks and sweets, as well as simple, yet delicious sauces. Authors Robert Carmack, Didier Corlou and Nguyen Thanh Van present an impressive array of authentic recipes, from both northern and southern Vietnam. From fresh spring rolls to banana flower salad to "lau" (Vietnam's native fondue), this book is the perfect introduction to Vietnamese cuisine. Book jacket.