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”

  18. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s
    equally educative and interesting, and let me tell
    you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too
    few folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my
    hunt for something regarding this.

  26. VIP Cleaners & Laundry always exceeds my expectations with their alterations near me!
    I love getting my clothes altered at VIP Cleaners & Laundry in San Diego CA!
    VIP Cleaners & Laundry is my go-to for perfect alterations!
    Alterations near me have Premium dry cleaning services

  37. Using CGM is also much easier than creating a glucose logbook by hand.
    Sugar is not making you sick, but too much sugar can definitely make you sick.

    Focus on making lasting changes to your eating habits that can help you through pregnancy, such as eating more vegetables and fruits.

    Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The National Center for
    Biotechnology Information states that people who stick to a vegetarian diet
    show a higher intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
    The main difference is that people with type2 diabetes need to check their blood sugar in regular manner and also need to learn to keep blood sugar under control.
    A vegetarian diet can have many benefits to a person with diabetes, including better blood sugar control and reduced risk
    of serious health complications. Never give an unresponsive diabetic person insulin. I have been using a more expensive blood sugar support supplement for years but
    decided to give Amiclear a try. A higher-gauge lancet is thinner so is normally
    less painful, but it might not always give you enough blood.
    2 c duck or goose blood OR 1/2 c pig blood. Your doctor may
    suggest checking your blood sugar on multiple occasions
    throughout the day, for example, before or after meals and at bedtime.

  43. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into
    any internet browser compatibility issues? A few of my blog readers
    have complained about myy blog not operating correctly in Explorer
    but looks great in Safari. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

  44. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours lately, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s lovely value enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent
    content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

Comments are closed.