The Honeysuckle Cookbook: 100 Healthy, Feel-Good Recipes to Live Deliciously

by Dzung Lewis

More than 90 crave-worthy Asian recipes and time-saving tips for busy home cooks from the founder and host of the Honeysuckle channel on YouTube.

The Honeysuckle Cookbook is stuffed with exciting ideas for easy, approachable Asian-influenced cooking at home. With 90 recipes, from the breakfast favorites that consistently rate the highest in views on the author's popular YouTube channel (like her Overnight Oats, 6 Ways) to original twists on one-pan and pressure-cooker meals, this book is for those of us who want Asian meals made simple, delicious, and quick.

Dzung's recipes take the familiar and turns it ever-so-slightly on its head: Marinara sauce gets extra umami with the addition of fish sauce, while mac and cheese becomes more than an out-of-the-box staple when made fresh with kimchi, lattes get an extra oomph with bold Vietnamese coffee and sweet, floral lavender and her quinoa pilaf gets a creamy curry-miso dressing. Dzung also teaches readers how to stretch groceries so they spend a little less money, how to plan meals seasonally, and how to match main courses with sides so plates look impressive and taste great. With quick snack ideas, recipe hacks, foolproof instructions, and genius tips for pretty presentation, The Honeysuckle Cookbook will be the friendly hand busy young cooks need to hold in the kitchen.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Asian Literature, Food and Drink, Foodie

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Jeffrey Caston]

Looks interesting.

I'm not going to rate this one because I have not yet tried any of the recipes. Candidly a lot of the recipes don't appeal to me, but that doesn't mean a dang thing. I'm sure to LOTS of people they sound interesting and healthy. And truth be told I was hoping for a few more pasta/noodle dishes, but I am excited to try some. Every place I have ever tried Bo Bun Rieu, this chaotic noodle stew with crab, vegetable, and Vietnamese vermicelli in a spicy red broth it's been amazing, so even if this one isn't completely the same, I'm sure it will satisfy my cravings. But I'll probably try miso udon carbonara. It sounds so different I'm thinking why I am writing this review instead of cooking that RIGHT NOW!

I'm sure I'll post updates, but the book has a very well-rounded bunch of recipes that seems like it would have something everyone might want to try. I happened upon this because I was looking for noodle cooking techniques, found one of Lewis' videos then discovered this cookbook. It's well organized, with bright, well-done photographs that just jump off the page.

I'm hoping the recipes work well. Here's to trying.

[Rhiannon Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



I had no idea about the author's YouTube channel prior to reading this cookbook. I simply saw the amazing bánh mì sandwiches on the cover and I was drawn to the idea of "healthy, feel-good recipes." This book is perfect for a cook wanting to test their hand at some recipes with Thai and Vietnamese flavors. I'm currently working my way through the soup section. I loved the *secret* ingredient in the Butternut Squash Soup and I liked that the Chicken, Lemon, and Herb Noodle Soup can be whipped up in just 45 minutes--a great option for when I don't feel like making my personal chicken soup recipe which takes 2 days! The next soups I will be making are Beef Pho and Hot & Sour Soup. In addition to the soup and salads section, this cookbook contains chapters on coffee/tea, breakfast, noodles and grains, weeknight mains, low and slow or pressure-cooking, side dishes, and desserts. In addition to the soups, I think the next recipe I will be trying for my family will be Sesame Soba Noodle Stir-Fry and I am excited to try the Vietnamese Carmelized Fish (Ca Kho To) the next time I am cooking for myself because I don't have any fellow fish-lovers in my family! Of course the desserts all sound amazing but I think I'll start with the Ginger-Cardamom Lemon Bars for me because I love lemon bars and I think these flavors would be a fun twist. The Matcha Chocolate Lava Cakes and the Vanilla-Bourbon Cream Puffs are definitely on the menu for the next time my daughter is home because she loves all of those ingredients. This cookbook hasn't been shelved since I got it because I can't stop looking through it!


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[Amy Noe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story behind each recipe - I always love when a cookbook is truly personal to its author. But I wish each recipe had a photo, especially since so many of them are probably not standard dishes most people would be able to visualize on their own.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle Salad
Sesame Suba Noodle Stir-Fry
Rockin' Beef Bowl
Chicken Tinga Burrito Bowl
Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry
Veggie Mu Shu
Butter Chicken Curry
Cold Buster Tea
Cheesy Everything Bagel Biscuits
Orange-Pistachio French Toast p. 68
Matcha-Almond Breakfast Loaf p. 71
Vietnamese Chicken Salad
Quicker Beef Pho
Healing Miracle Seaweed Soup
Lambchetta
Tartiflette
French Onion Risotto in pressure cooker
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Chili-Like Garlic Sauce
Pickled Vegetables
Scallion Relish
Strawberry-Raspberry-Rhubarb Pie p. 207
Earl Grey Tart with Blood Oranges and Pomegranate
Dzung and Nate's Favorite Banana Cake

Yes, quite a few but so very delicious

The menu ideas are fun. Nice feature.

[Sera Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Honeysuckle YouTube channel and was excited to hear that she has a cookbook out. All the recipes I've made so far have been easy and delicious! I love that there are both Asian and American recipes in this. This is great for anyone wanting to cook more Asian food, but also have other types of food as well to try.

[Barb Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have made more recipes from this cookbook than any cookbook I have ever bought. And every recipe I tried was a huge hit!

What I love about The Honeysuckle Cookbook recipes is that they are really different, ones I haven't seen anywhere else, with on-trend and delicious ingredients, and not difficult at all to make!

After making the same meals so many times during COVID shut-down, it has been really fun to try new ingredients and new flavors, especially when they are so successful! I can't wait for the next book.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed certain aspects of this cookbook...I’m mostly interesting in trying the Main Dish recipes. I have four in mind that I’ll be trying in the next two weeks. They sound and look delicious.

I am disappointed that in the Multi-Pot section, there were no additional instructions in case you didn’t own a multi-pot. As a seasoned home cook, I know how to cook the dishes otherwise, but I don’t believe a lot of people would.

I didn’t find the recipes super “healthy” as described on the cover, either. Quite a few of the dishes were lackluster and unoriginal, especially the salads and coffee & tea section. I was quite excited based on reviews and definitely see the potential of a good cookbook if topics were more in-depth/some parts were trimmed off but quite frankly, I am disappointed overall.

[Jessica Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this cookbook. It inspired me to try four of the recipes within the first week I bought it. My family loves all the dishes. Dzung’s tips are very useful. Also, thoroughly enjoy the stories peppered throughout the book. Great job!

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like the idea of orange and pistachio flavours in french toast
[though i hope that it would be crushed pistachios rather than eating nutty rock-like objects]

[man i would be using European crushed pistachios or italian pistachio liqueur, i dont wanna eat pecans and walnuts in my salads or my french toast!]

and the raspberries added to strawberry-rhubarb pie is a brilliant novelty...

---

this one is very elegantly done

valencia latte

orange zest - ground vietnamese coffee/espresso - hot water
sugar - vanilla extract - milk + coconut milk

---

sweet lavender latte

ground vietnamese coffee/espresso - hot water - lavender honey syrup
vanilla extract - milk - cinnamon

---

never imagined this is possible

squash tacos with cilantro-lime slaw
[not sure i would be a fan but it might be the finest way to make squash edible]

kimchi mac and cheese
[no thank you]

crepes with goat cheese-scrambled eggs
[No!]
[whipped up eggs with cheese and a touch of sugar heated up and in a crepe, perhaps]
[no scrambled eggs will touch a crepe]
[or my lips]

[though zac posen's scrambled eggs is probably the best around, which i think was the Ritz Hotel in London recipe or modification - the secret was very rich butter and cream and very gentle heat and taking your time]

[yes look up Posen's cookbook - i think it's one of the very best amateur cookbook writers i've ever seen - his book was a true labor of love and he withdrew from his career to do it which is a credit to his passion - he's some friendly odd eccentric sissy fashion designer making fancy dresses like Dior]

---

matcha chocolate lava cakes
vietnamese caramelized fish
chocolate cherry blondies

crispy brussels sprouts with chili-lime-garlic sauce

[Jiji George · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can figure out how much I love a particular cookbook from the amount of stains it acquires as it sits open on my counter amidst live cooking. This cookbook already has a whole host of splotches and splashes all over its pages as I so often flip through it and cook while keeping an eye out for my crawling 8 month old son.

I love that the ingredient list for each recipe is short, manageable and easy to find. The recipes are so flavorful and satisfying while also sneaking in vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

I enjoy watching the colorful photos come to life as vibrant meals in my kitchen.

Dzung -- thank you for making this cookbook. I love your youtube channels, love your videos, and am so happy I got to know you, your family, and your cooking style a little more with this book!

My favorite recipe so far is the Chicken Adobo :).

PS. The coffee and tea section is so much fun and the recipes are delicious.

[Lcharlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look forward to trying the Salmon and Corn Chowder recipe!

[KathyNV · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beautiful cover to the mouthwatering illustrations “The Honeysuckle Cookbook” is a warm and rich presentation of wonderful healthy but taste good too recipes! So far I have tried three of the recipes and they all are big hits with my family. “Nate’s Turkey Meatballs” are so juicy and the fish sauce gives it just the right pop! The “Squash Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Slaw” is divine...I added some firm white fish and it’s unanimously on the list of family favorites! The “Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle Salad” was incredible! The little bit of leftover pork was perfect for breakfast with eggs the next morning. I think the Brussels Sprouts recipe is next! This is a cookbook that really delivers on flavor and I highly recommend it! Thank you so much to Crown for the privilege of trying all these wonderful recipes! :)

[Emily Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the pictures and stories behind the recipes! Have tried a few, and they were easy to make and delicious! Several more recipes I'm planning to try, and have already found a couple that will be regulars at my house.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the design of this cookbook. It has pictures of almost every dish and the ingredients and instructions are very clear. I can’t wait to try some the recipes, especially the kimchi mac and cheese. I revived this book as a goodreads giveaway.

[Katesscrapyardgmail.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Honeysuckle Cookbook. Nowadays, most people say they don't read cookbooks because everything they could possibly want is online. For those of us that love to hold a printed book in our hand, this book is exactly why we choose print over web.
I am drawn to Asian inspired recipes so this book is right up my alley. I love that these recipes seem easy and most of the ingredients can be found at local markets. I live in the country so I will have to get a bit more creative but overall, the list of pantry items seems reasonable. Not everyone has time to be fancy and dazzle the family with dishes from a 5 star kitchen.
I love that the author includes a little paragraph before the recipe about the inspiration behind the recipe or where she first encountered the dish. This is one of the things that I love about cookbooks. When finding a recipe on the internet, I don't want to read all the fluff, I just want the recipe! But when flipping through this book with beautiful pictures, I can't help but want to stop and take in every aspect of the authors experience with food.
The book includes a list of pantry items and where they can be found.

Overall, I loved the book and would recommend it. I didn't give it a 5 star because I haven't actually tried any of the recipes.

*I won this book from Goodreads. These opinions are my own.*

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd definitely make the majority of these recipes! Good thing I was preparing a grocery order while reading - bought a ton of stuff and popped by the Asian market to get the other things I needed. I love the variety in this. She has everything from traditional "American" meals, some with Asian twists like kimchi mac and cheese, and some authentic Vietnamese recipes (the reason I asked for this one for Christmas). My only hang-up is that I hate when cookbooks don't have photos for each recipe. This was missing quite a few and it drives me nuts.

I did want to finish my reading year with a fiction book but knew I wouldn't have time to crank through one. It's appropriate I'd end 2021 with a cookbook considering how these are the only reason I made it to 75 books this year!

[ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have loved dzung's youtube channel, honeysuckle, for YEARS when i one night stumbled upon it for a recipe and started binge watching her videos. she had just had her daughter so i've followed her for some time and have rooted for her success for so long, i don't know why it took me so long to finally read her cookbook! it was great either way and i wanna try so many recipes soon! some of them i recognized from her channel, which are ones i've already loved, but the earl grey tea with blood oranges and pomegranates was a new one and looks delish and sounds delish. it was a very simple, detailed cookbook where i could follow along and not get confused by measurements or feel like the recipe would take forever.

[Jessie Rose M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a banh mi connoisseur, this cookbook had me at the cover. Delightfully, the insides are just as beautiful, appetizing, and inspiring.

I’ve never been a great cook nor very creative in the kitchen, and I love that this book treats the reader like anything is achievable with minimal skill. I also love the ideas it hands to me since I can’t come up with them in my own. Asian cuisines are at the top of my favorites list though I grew up on a carb-heavy American and Italian-American diet and still eat pizza way too often. I am excited to start making my favorite foods at home, and this book gives me the confidence to try.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why I got this book initially as it is not vegetarian at all, but the nonveg recipes, wow! I marked TONS of recipes and can't wait to try them. The breakfasts, the desserts, everything! I am excited for this book. Also, the photos are absolutely beautiful, and I LOVE how Dzung Lewis writes. If you like meat, you will like this even more. Gorgeous stuff.

[False · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chiefly cultural-ethnic recipes, not surprising given the author or her locale, with some cultures worked into odd pairings like Chinese tacos. I copied a few recipes to test, but overall, the book was a little too busy with specialized ingredients for my liking. However, she does write with love and passion and it may be the perfect book for another reader.

[Tesla]

I won’t rate a cookbook because that feels weird when I haven’t tried any of the recipes, but as a long time viewer I’m happy for her. I do wish there were pictures for each dish because I’m a baby like that, but I’m excited to make what I saw.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cookbook. She is a Californian home chef and blogger with a lot of Asian food inspiration, and she gave me a lot of ideas for ingredients I don’t usually mess with, like tamarind. Pretty photos, too.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this cookbook quite a bit. Approachable Vietnamese fusion recipes with beautiful photos and easy instructions. I particularly loved the salad section.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

not one I care to own, but wouldn't mind checking it out from the library every now and then for new recipe :)

I did like the helpful menu ideas at the end, a really nice inclusion.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of bold and fresh recipes, the cookbook serves up a combo of Vietnamese, Korean, and French dishes with healthy twists. Gorgeous photography, too!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her recipes are fun and easy to make! They also are super delicious. I would highly recommend this for people to get!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thing I've made from this cookbook is the Ginger Cardamom Lemon Bars, but I have several more things I'm planning to try

[Cheryl Hendricks]

The Honeysuckle Cookbook has many good Asian recipes that are healthy. The ingredients needed are listed. There is a variety of foods to cook.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of delicious looking recipes and it was organized very nicely. My only recommendation would be to list whether the recipes are gluten free/vegetarian/etc. at the beginning of each recipe.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from this book. Recipes aren’t that easy. Also, I wanted to see more photos.