Description: "In 1975, Tung Nguyen fled Vietnam as a pregnant refugee and landed in Miami, where she met Kathy Manning, an American grad student who opened her doors to eleven immigrants. The two women grew close, raising Tung's daughter, Lyn, together and opening a tiny restaurant. Hy Vong, meaning Hope in Vietnamese, quickly became famous in the local community for its delicious, authentic Vietnamese flavors. The restaurant continued to gain in popularity, until it reached national and critical acclaim. This book is their intertwining narratives, punctuated by recipes from Tung and Kathy's upbringings, and the Hy Vong restaurant"--
Review Quotes:
"Mango and Peppercorns is a touching and inspirational culinary journey into a fascinating culture and a cuisine that I adore. This incredible story about the dream of a refugee that fled Communist rule in Vietnam hit home for me. Her passion for food made her American dream come true. It's a story that one needs to savor and appreciate, along with the delicious recipes that are inspired by it." --Lidia Bastianich, Celebrity Chef and Public Television host