Stan Lee and other comic book creators can literally eat their hearts out, as the format of the traditional cookbook continues to evolve. The latest to challenge the standard: The Adventures of Fat Rice. Chef/owners Abe Conlon and Adrienne Lo are joined by Hugh Amano, the opening sous chef at their restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. The trio regale readers with tales from Macau and the accompanying recipes inspired by the tiny Southeast Asian country.
The book takes on the dubious task of explaining Fat Rice's cultural influences and making sense of them. They range from India to Malaysia to Indonesia, with a heavy sprinkle of Portuguese: "We wouldn't just cook the food of Macau or Portugal, we'd explore everything in between, too," the cookbook reads.
Much has been made by the book's comic book-like illustrations, here supplied by Sarah Becan who also drew the art for Fat Rice's sauce labels. Drawings of how to properly construct pot stickers and croquettes or how to wash rice are intermingled with recipes. The big draw is Fat Rice’s signature dish: Arroz Gordo. Readers will even meet an illustrated version of Conlon who demonstrates the proper technique for preparing fried rice.
That's not to say there's aren't plenty of beautiful photographs. There's a great fusion of photos and drawings throughout, reminiscent of the fusion of cultures and flavors that appear on Fat Rice's menu.
The Adventures of Fat Rice, out on Oct. 25 from Ten Speed (order on Amazon). It contains photography by Dan Goldberg and illustrations by Sarah Becan. Get a peek inside below: