Cookbooks We Love
Asian-inspired Recipes from Maxine Sharf’s New Cookbook
Updated on April 16, 2026
Maxine Sharf’s debut cookbook, Maxi’s Kitchen, is full of modern family dishes you’ll want to make on repeat. The book’s 95 recipes are inspired by Maxine’s heritage (her mom is Korean and Chinese, and her dad is Eastern European) as well as cherished childhood memories. Be sure to try her favourites: Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups, Mom’s Benihana Chicken Fried Rice and Asian Marinated Skirt Steak.
Maxi’s Kitchen by Maxine Sharf. Clarkson Potter, 2026, $48.
Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups
“These lettuce cups are inspired by one of my favourite Thai dishes, pad krapow gai — a spicy chicken and basil dish typically served with rice and a fried egg.” — Maxine Sharf
Mom’s Benihana Chicken Fried Rice
“Buttery, salty and packed with umami, this fried rice has been a family favourite for as long as I can remember. My mom based this recipe on the fried rice at Benihana, where she used to waitress in college.” — Maxine Sharf
Asian Marinated Skirt Steak
“This steak marinade, inspired by Korean barbecue, turns a simple cut of meat into something truly special. With just a few ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make and infuses the meat with delicious sweet and savoury flavor.” — Maxine Sharf
Maxine with husband Doug and pup Kimchi!
“Maxi’s Kitchen” Copyright ©2026 by Maxine Sharf. Photographs copyright ©2026 by Amy Neunesinger. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, A division of Penguin Random House LLC