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

177,421 thoughts on “Cookbook Review Day”

  4. Witnessing ripple effects created simply sharing knowledge gained along way reminds us why connections matter tremendously while exploring options available still at hand today especially considering future endeavors ahead!!! Saint Augustine Mover’s

  9. hi!,I love your writing very much! percentage we keep in touch extra
    approximately your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to unravel my problem.
    Maybe that is you! Looking ahead to see you.

  11. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time
    choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and
    Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  13. Choosing the right legal partner is crucial for any business. A good law firm can help you avoid pitfalls and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Discover more at estate where we specialize in providing top-notch legal services.

  14. Interesting review! I’ve been struggling to lose
    those last stubborn pounds, and SlimJaro sounds like it could be
    worth a shot—especially if it supports metabolism naturally.

    Has anyone seen noticeable results after a few weeks?
    Trying to decide if it’s worth adding to my routine.

  17. Navigating the complexities of tax law can be daunting. I highly recommend considering a professional attorney to guide you through the process. Don’t forget to explore free tax lawyer options too! Learn more at performance bonds .

  18. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe
    for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable
    deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

  20. .The significance behind corporate social responsibility initiatives resonates deeply amidst consumers increasingly demanding accountability from organizations alike overall reflecting values aligned directly towards long-term impacts desired greatly too digital marketing agency

  21. Your method of telling the whole thing in this piece of writing is actually fastidious, every one be capable of without difficulty be aware of
    it, Thanks a lot.

  28. Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a
    entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and
    design. Wonderful choice of colors!

  29. It is not my first time to visit this website, i am visiting this web site dailly and get good data from here all the time.

  30. Wonderful blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any forums that
    cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really
    love to be a part of community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable individuals that share
    the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Kudos!

  36. It’s crucial to have a well-drafted will to ensure your wishes are honored after you pass. A knowledgeable lawyer can help navigate the complexities of estate planning. Check out more about this at trusts and estates .

  40. Navigating the legal landscape is crucial for any startup’s success. Online lawyers can provide invaluable advice on everything from contracts to compliance. If you’re in need of legal support, check out bid bonds for expert insights.

  50. Hi there, all the time i used to check blog posts here early in the
    morning, because i enjoy to learn more and more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *