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”

  9. Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    where I could locate 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!

  12. Hardscaping facilities can honestly rework any outside area! Whether this is setting up fascinating patios or growing amazing walkways, the precise hardscaping resources can advance both functionality and aesthetics hardscaping

  17. Its like you learn my mind! You appear to grasp so much approximately this, like you wrote
    the guide in it or something. I feel that you just could do with a few % to power
    the message house a little bit, however instead of that,
    this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will
    certainly be back.

  19. Pingback: ???????????????????????? Co168 ??? - lutbox.net

  22. citizens bank student loans
    Hi I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by error,
    while I was researching on Bing 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
    moment but I have saved it and also added in 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. Hello there I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by error,
    while I was looking on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and
    would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have
    time to go through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked
    it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
    read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome work.

  33. ????????socompletely that Alys groaned as she adjusted herself into as small awedge as she could and remarked that she was glad they were not goingfar.They rolled leisurely around two corners and ran along a few blocks onan avenue,

  34. It’s wonderful that you are getting ideas from this article as well as from our discussion made at
    this place.

  35. It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web page and reading the views of all colleagues about this
    article, while I am also zealous of getting experience.

  36. We stumbled over here different web page and thought I
    might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to looking at your web page
    for a second time.
    ??????????

  38. I know this website presents quality based content and additional stuff,
    is there any other web site which presents these kinds of things in quality?

  43. I am curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing?
    I’m having some small security problems with my latest website and I would
    like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?

  46. Wonderful items from you, man. I have be aware your stuff previous to and you are simply too wonderful.
    I actually like what you have received here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which in which you say it.
    You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible.
    I can not wait to read much more from you. That is really
    a wonderful web site.

  48. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across
    this board and I to find It really useful & it
    helped me out a lot. I hope to give one thing back and aid others such as you helped me.

  49. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog
    and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

Comments are closed.