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

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.

397,615 thoughts on “Cookbook Review Day

  1. My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web page and thought I
    should check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following
    you. Look forward to finding out about your web page yet again.

  2. Hey! I know this is kind of off topic but I was
    wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
    I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had
    issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for
    another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  3. I really love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself?
    Please reply back as I’m trying to create my very own website and would like
    to know where you got this from or what the theme is
    called. Appreciate it!

  4. I commend your thoroughness in discussing differences among various age groups affected by similar issues stemming from head injuries—their needs differ substantially based upon circumstances leading towards traumatic events occurring within their lives concussion specialist near me

  5. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website.

    I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well.
    In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own website now 😉

  6. Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It
    really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to provide something back and aid others such as you aided me.

  7. I do not even understand how I stopped up here, but I assumed this publish was
    once good. I don’t recognize who you’re but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you happen to aren’t already.
    Cheers!

  8. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think about if you
    added some great pictures or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this website could definitely be one
    of the best in its niche. Amazing blog!

  9. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our
    community. Your website provided us with valuable information to work on.
    You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  10. A person necessarily lend a hand to make severely articles I would state.
    This is the first time I frequented your website page and
    so far? I surprised with the research you made
    to create this actual post extraordinary. Excellent process!

  11. We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with useful information to work on. You
    have performed an impressive task and our entire group will probably be
    thankful to you.

  12. You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation however I
    find this topic to be actually one thing which I feel
    I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complex and
    extremely large for me. I’m looking forward for your next
    publish, I will try to get the hold of it!

  13. Fantastic blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress
    or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..
    Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

  14. What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere,
    when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible paragraph.

Comments are closed.