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”

  10. Hello there, I found your website by the use of Google at the
    same time as searching for a related topic, your site came up, it appears great.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hi there, just become aware of your weblog thru Google, and located that it is truly
    informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will
    be grateful in case you proceed this in future.

    Lots of other folks shall be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  15. Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a
    similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot
    of spam comments? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very
    much appreciated.

  17. you are truly a good webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible.
    It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
    Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a excellent process on this matter!

  25. Hello I am so glad I found your blog, I really found you by accident,
    while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and
    would just like to say thanks for a incredible
    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 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 superb work.

  29. Fantastic Overview Shared Here About Maximizing Potential Using Various Techniques Discussed Throughout The Blog Post —Thank You So Much!!! Hope Local Business Owners Living In Scenic Neighborhoods Tied Closely Together With Names Related Directly Back Marketing Agency

  32. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But imagine if
    you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more,
    “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and
    clips, this blog could certainly be one of the greatest in its
    niche. Awesome blog!

  33. Having read this I believed it was really enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting.
    But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  34. It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read more things about it!

  37. ”Each aspect managed proficiently resulting ultimate success stories written daily showcasing capabilities proven time again demonstrating expertise present exhibited thoroughly establishing credibility rooted deep within community surrounding us all here Digital Marketing Agency

  40. Hi I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Aol 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 exciting blog
    (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through 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 work.

  45. If you wish for to grow your knowledge just keep visiting this
    website and be updated with the hottest news update posted here.

Comments are closed.