From acclaimed pastry chef Clarice Lam: a visually sumptuous pan-Asian baking book exploring an umami-rich array of baked goods, confections, and savory snacks. Breaking Bao is a culinary journey bridging gaps between Asian flavors and global techniques. It is a collection of recipes rooted in renowned chef Clarice Lim’s personal journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of embracing one’s heritage.
From acclaimed pastry chef Clarice Lam: a visually sumptuous pan-Asian baking book exploring an umami-rich array of baked goods, confections, and savory snacks. Breaking Bao is a culinary journey bridging gaps between Asian flavors and global techniques. It is a collection of recipes rooted in renowned chef Clarice Lim’s personal journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of embracing one’s heritage.
Here are 88 approachable recipes that are firmly rooted in classical French technique but travel far and wide. Dive into three chapters, exploring: Bao: the fundamentals of baked, steamed, fried, or laminated buns and breads, from golden curry-filled donuts to Rice Dumplings filled with Hong Kong Bolognese to Vietnamese Cinnamon-Raisin Babka. Cakes & Desserts: classics treated with a twist, such as Mango-Yakult Tres Leches Cake, Ovaltine Mochi Marjolaine, and Pandan-Lime Meringue Pie. Snax: savory and sweet treats, from Cantonese-Style Fig and Marzipan Mooncakes to Gochujang-Furikake Caramel Popcorn to Ramen Cheese Itz.
Featuring more than 100 stunning photographs by prominent food, lifestyle, and travel photographer Evan Sung, Breaking Bao is a visual feast as well as a go-to cookbook. For home cooks looking to expand their repertories, these projects range from simple cookies and flavored popcorn snacks to lavish mille feuille and laminated pastries. With humor, whimsy, and respect for traditions, Lam invites readers into these pages to break barriers, bread, and bao, all at the same table.
About the Author: Clarice Lam is an award-winning pastry chef based in New York City. In addition to working stints at Bouchon Bakery, Spice Market, and The Chocolate Room, she opened The Baking Bean in Brooklyn in 2012. She was the opening pastry chef at Kimika, an Italian-Japanese restaurant named a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2022. Her writing has been widely featured in outlets from the New York Times to People, Condé Nast Traveler, and South China Morning Post. Her television credits include appearances on Sweet Genius, Food.Curated., Beat Bobby Flay: Revenge, and Best Baker in America, where she finished as a semifinalist. Lam is currently a judge on TheDr. Seuss Baking Challenge.
