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”

  5. Great website. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few friends
    ans additionally sharing in delicious. And
    of course, thank you on your sweat!

  8. Open Wide La Jolla Dentistry provides exceptional dental care with a smile!
    I had a fantastic experience at Open Wide La Jolla Dentistry, the best dentist near me!
    The staff at Open Wide La Jolla Dentistry are truly friendly and professional 24-hour dentist near me

  9. Wonderful web site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And certainly, thanks for your effort!

  10. Hello I am so happy I found your weblog, I really found you by
    accident, while I was browsing on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am here now
    and would just like to say thanks for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the
    theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
    read more, Please do keep up the fantastic b.

  12. Hi there! This post couldn’t be written much better!
    Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He continually kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him.

    Pretty sure he will have a very good read. Many
    thanks for sharing!

  22. Hello there I am so excited I found your blog page, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Aol for
    something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for
    a marvelous post and a all round entertaining
    blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it
    all at the moment but I have saved it and also included
    your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the
    fantastic b.

  32. It’s really very complex inn this active life to listen news
    on TV, sso I nly use internet for that purpose, and obtain the most recent news.

    ??? ???? ???, Felisha,

  34. Greetings from Florida! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the info you present here and can’t wait
    to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone
    .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!

  36. Vital press releases are for media Coverage. They Aid
    Forge relationships between Businesses and Press.
    Writing Successful press releases Mean being Focused, Matched with the Needs of Targeted News Channels.

    In The Modern Media Landscape, press releases Additionally Serve Critical role in Digital Public Relations.
    They Target Conventional news outlets Furthermore Boost Traffic
    and Elevate a Company’s Digital Presence.
    Integrawting Visuals, such as Graphics, can Render ppress relases Even Appealing and Distributable.
    Modifying to the Developing media Environment while Upholding
    core Standards can Substantially Boost a press release’s Impact.

    What Are Your Thoughts on Leveraging multimedia in Media Statements?

    Also visit my blog … Pressez (spechrom.com)

  37. It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people about this topic, but
    you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  38. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that
    automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking
    for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would
    have some experience with something like this. Please let me know
    if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog
    and I look forward to your new updates.

  40. Wow, amazing blog structure! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?
    you make running a blog look easy. The entire glance of your web site is excellent, let alone the content material!

  43. That is very fascinating, You are an overly skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking extra of your magnificent post.
    Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks

Comments are closed.