Deprecated: Function WP_Dependencies->add_data() was called with an argument that is deprecated since version 6.9.0! IE conditional comments are ignored by all supported browsers. in /home1/tummytre/public_html/blog/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131

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

397,615 thoughts on “Cookbook Review Day”

  13. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!

    What web host are you using? Can I get your
    affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  16. Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation;
    we have developed some nice practices and we are looking to exchange methods with other folks, why not shoot me
    an e-mail if interested.

  25. Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
    It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same page
    layout and design. Great choice of colors!

  33. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but
    I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?
    My site discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and
    I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are
    interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward
    to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!

  36. We are an established Bike shop in Orange County, CA.
    Over 30 years experience! Women owned! Specializing in bicycle fitting, service and sales.
    We carry Giant, Liv, Cervelo, Santa Cruz, Trek,
    3T, Electra & Haro.

  40. After exploring a number of the blog articles on your web
    site, I really like your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will
    be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and let me know your opinion.

  41. Hi there, I discovered your website by means of Google at the same time as
    looking for a similar subject, your website got here up, it looks
    good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply become aware of your blog through Google, and located that
    it is truly informative. I am gonna watch
    out for brussels. I will be grateful if you happen to proceed this in future.
    A lot of other folks can be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  42. Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to
    get there! Many thanks

  43. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.

    Your web site offered us with valuable info to
    work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole
    community will be thankful to you.

  44. The moment someone mentions needing assistance regarding roofs? It’s always going straight towards recommending “Essential Restore Solution”–check online ###ANYKEYWORD### roof repair

  47. Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted
    to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through your articles.
    Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects?
    Thanks a lot!

Comments are closed.