Can anyone recommend a really good Chinese cookery book? One with lots of tried and tested recipes? I've been living in China and I NEED PROPER FOOD. Takeaways are not up to scratch. Help me before I starve...

Edit: if this post seems grumpy, I'm sorry.... I'm just so hungry....

Can't go wrong with this fella:

http://www.kenhom.com/default.asp

This one is good:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CHINESE-FOOD...5801724&sr=8-2

It is good enough for me as a student!

Never read that book but it's by the lovely Ching-He Huang so you can't go wrong

Yep another vote for Chingy!

Where are you living? Surely you can get decent Chinese food to takeaway unless you're in the middle of the countryside.

Some people like to make their own. I think Ching has authentic recipies but as the title suggests they have been simpified and made with a more western influence.

I remember seeing Fuchsia Dunlop on many shows and she seems really into the authentic style of cooking. Give her books a look.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...Fuchsia+Dunlop

You know, it just doesn't taste right..... And it's bankrupting me!

I will give her a go! Thanks for the recommendation.

Those look great! Thanks!

I got this one for Christmas and watched the show too! It's top knotch. Proper healthy, tasty Chinese food!

Don't expect to find any deep fried chicken balls in it though.

They said they wanted authentic Chinese food, I very much doubt the stuff we get in this country is that authentic. Certainly looking at some of the stuff on the menus in the Chinatown near me then the average takeaway is far from authentic!

My sister raves about Kylie Kwong. Not sure how authentic it is but she's a big fan of her recipes.
http://www.kyliekwong.org/home.aspx

Nancy Lam or Fuchsia Dunlop.

your absolutely spot on i met my wife in china (shes chinese im english)and recently moved back to england she was shocked to see what we get in takeaways apart from boiled/fried rice and a couple of noodle dishes she didnt recognise anything on the menu being chinese food and when she tried some she thought it was awful in comparison to authentic chinese food and i totally agree after eating the food in china theres no comparison.
if your after authenticity rather than buying books designed for the western market you should look for real chinese food books or even cheaper look online theres loads of food blogs about authentic chinese food.

She's a good Aussie girl is Kylie Kwong.

Sorry, my mistake. I assumed he was still in China, I should read more carefully next time.