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From left: Vishü Rita Krocha, Limawati Ao, and Jenny Kath Thong releasing the recipe book at the Crossword in Kohima on Saturday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, April 15 (EMN): A self-taught baker who has in her own right found success in the art by exploring ingredients and turning ideas into scrumptious creations, has released a recipe book. Jenny Kath Thong released her recipe book ‘Sweet station: Anyone can bake.’ The book was released by the director of Information and Public Relations (IPR) Limawati Ao at a brief function at the Crossword in Kohima.
A mother of three children, Thong is a rural development officer in the state’s department of Rural Development. Her love for baking took off from catering for her family all the way to bigger events, to opening two cake shops in Kohima.
‘Sweet Station: Anyone can Bake’ was published by Kohima-based PenThrill Publication House and has the distinction of being PenThrill’s first hardcover cookbook and 11th publication, according to publisher Vishü Rita Krocha. She said ‘sweet station’ consists of Jenny’s recipes. She was optimistic that it would help people try their hands in baking. It is an area people can explore as a profession, she said.
“Baking is not as hard as it looks. It is all about using the right ingredients and making the right measurements,” says Jenny. She shares in her book the necessary baking equipments, techniques and baking tips, other than the main recipes.
Interestingly, she has a dedicated section for recipes that require only local ingredients. She finds it interesting to go around local markets and discover new ingredients that can be incorporated in her baking. “These new experiments are invigorating and never fail to enrich my baking experience.” The ingredients include sweet pumpkin, local banana, rice crunch, millet, sweet fig among others.
“I have come to realize that we are very rich in our local produce. If you just take time and go through our local market, there is an array of ingredients that can be incorporated into your cakes, cupcakes or desserts.” All the ingredients she used are readily available in the market, she says.
Thong was of the opinion that the idea of bringing out the book came about after she turned down many who approached her for baking lessons. She said to have found it difficult to make time for baking classes. She is a working woman, a homemaker, and a mother. She expressed hope that the new recipe book would help those eager to learn as well as encourage other to try their hands on baking. The recipes were, according to her ‘written and created with love.’
In his address, Limawati Ao called the book a groundbreaking publication ‘a world class book’ written by a Naga. “Such reasons make us proud to be Naga,” he said.
Ao being someone (indirectly) associated with the publication of many books, he said that the content and quality of Thong’s new book was ‘no less than good and expensive recipe books published abroad.’ The director pointed out that many recipe books published from outside the state and abroad are available in the market. But not so the ingredients which can be difficult to find at time—and some are ‘difficult to pronounce.’
“The cover (of Thong’s book) itself looks good enough to eat! Professionally done work...world class photographs.. I believe the recipes will be a boon for aspiring bakers. These kinds of work are what make us proud as Nagas,” he said.
Commenting on the section where recipes contained only indigenous ingredients, Ao said it spoke volumes about the ideas that went into the book. The book will inspire upcoming bakers while daring the younger generation to take up baking to the next level.
It was informed that ‘Sweet Station: Anyone can Bake,’ priced at INR1000 each, will be available at Sweet Station at the High School junction; and at the Crossword and the Bible House in Kohima, and online at www.ilandlo.com.
