Cookbook Review Day

Today I want to talk about some new cookbooks that I recently received.  I have become very particular about the cookbooks that grace my shelves these days, and that is for one reason really, room.  My coobook shelves are literally bursting, I have filled all the shelf space and have now started stacking them on top of the shelves. So when I really want a new cookbook, I really need to think about it and think about whether or not it is worthy of my precious space. I decided that both of these books today are worthy of my space, and I actually got rid of one little used book to make room.

This first one is simply one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever seen.  Spain And The World Table is a compilation of Spanish recipes from the most highly respected Spanish chefs. From the Culinary Institute of America, this book takes recipes created by such greats as Jose Andres and Norman Van Aken and presents them in a way which they can be recreated by the home cook.  Martha Rose Shulman, whose work I am very familiar with, provides the writing and commentary all throughout the book.  Yet it’s not just a cookbook. This is also a reference book.  Anything you ever wanted to know about Spanish cuisine is in this book.  After a recipe Mission Figs stuffed with blue cheese is a reference page full of details about Spanish cheeses, after a recipe for Consomme with Saffron, we get a tutorial on saffron and when and where we should use it- and is it worth its hefty price tag?  There are bits about the different regions of Spain, and I have to say, there is a lot of information in this book, but it’s presented in such an accessible way.  The book itself is beautiful enough- with a picture for almost every single recipe, that if I had a coffee table, this would be on it.

The caveat is that I haven’t cooked out of it yet, so I can’t attest to the nature of the specific recipes. However, reading through several of them that caught my eye, they don’t seem particularly difficult or too avant garde to give them a whirl in my home kitchen.  Every once in a while a recipe will mention a lengthy reduction or there is one recipe specifically that uses a foam- where did I put that foam-making device anyway?  But overall, they really seem geared toward the home cook, and give us an opportunity to try at home the dishes that the world is talking about.  Spanish cuisine is hot right now- but there are so few cookbooks devoted to the cuisine that this is a very welcome addition to my world parade of cookbooks.  With recipes like Hazelnut Passion Fruit Ice Cream, Lamb and Roasted Pepper Ragout, Sea Scallops with Green Raisin Salsa, and Mango, Scotch Bonnet, and Sesame Mojo, this is a book I could read through several times over and not get bored with it.  I can’t wait to give some of these recipes a whirl.

The second book I wanted to mention today is more fun and less intensive than the Spanish tome, but an equally wonderful addition to my cookbook collection.  Grilled Pizzas and Piadianas brings the art of grilled pizza back home where it belongs.  It wasn’t that long ago that Andy and I figured out just how to make a grilled pizza in the first place.  A careful ballet of flipping crust and adding toppings at just the right time elevates pizza to a whole new level.  This book shows us exactly what we could be doing to make it easier, as well as gives us a virtual parade of pizza topping ideas.  As an example, The New Orlean pizza has blackened crawfish, Andouille sausage, fontina cheese, and a spicy apricot sauce as it’s toppings.  I would have never thought of those toppings for pizza- but now that I’ve seen it, it sounds and looks amazing. The Moroccan pizza is topped with curried chicken, roasted garlic and kalamata olives, The Millenium is topped with ground lamb, feta and cucumber!  There are dozens of new pizza ideas here, and every turn of the page gives me a new mouth-watering picture, and the desire to make pizza!

Then there’s the piadinas. What exactly is a piadina? Well, it’s like a flatbread sandwich.  It’s sort of like making a pizza dough and then rolling it around toppings like a wrap, and apparently, they are very popular in Italy. These also look amazing!  Piadina Firenze is stuffed with grilled eggplant and peppers, and is one I’ll be trying when the eggplant comes up in the garden. There’s also a special chapter here for my husband, who is always wanting to make a dessert on the grill.  We have an Apple Tart- a pizza crust topped with cinnamon glazed apples and almonds, a Grilled Banana Split, and something called The S’more, a pizza topped with chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows!  There are also tips on throwing the ultimate grilled pizza party as well as suggestions for beverages that accompany some of the pizzas.  I have to say, as much as I love this book, this would have made a fantastic Father’s Day gift for Andy, since he’s always wanting to make grilled pizzas.  We’ll be taking this book for a spin this weekend if the weather cooperates.

Uncategorized - by Erika

142,265 thoughts on “Cookbook Review Day”

  1. Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really
    enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums
    that go over the same subjects? Thank you so much!

  3. Learn how dedicated professionals turn complex cases into successful outcomes—consult those featured prominently within listings shared via ### anyKeyWord### before making decisions during stressful moments ahead of recovery processes involved following personal injuries lawyer

  4. I like the valuable info you supply for your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and test again here frequently.
    I’m reasonably sure I will be told many new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the following!

  10. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through
    some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and
    checking back frequently!

  13. Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering
    if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?

    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m
    having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

  15. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter
    a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a
    doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy I found this during my search for something regarding this.

  17. Simply want to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness on your post is simply nice and that i
    could think you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Well along with
    your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep
    up to date with approaching post. Thank you a million and
    please carry on the rewarding work.

  21. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site.

    I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well.

    In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  22. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am
    encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it.
    Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly
    respond? Thanks!!

  31. Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my site thus i got here
    to go back the choose?.I’m trying to in finding things
    to enhance my web site!I suppose its good enough to make use of some of your ideas!!

  38. The art galleries and cultural attractions enhance the allure of living in Scottsdale—perfect for art lovers interested in real estate! Discover more at realtor

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *