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. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your
    blog and will eventually come back someday. I want to
    encourage you to continue your great posts, have a nice morning!

  2. Custom home additions on Mercer Island can truly transform your living space! Whether you’re looking to expand your family room, add a home office, or create a beautiful outdoor living area, there are endless possibilities Kitchen Remodel

  3. First off I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to
    ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear
    your mind prior to writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts
    out. I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to
    be lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations
    or tips? Thanks!

  4. Hey hey, ?etter hurry for good primary ?laces,
    ?ecause these emphasize math ?nd English, crucial
    t? O-Level and A-Level triumphs.

    Folks, ?h, excellent primary m?ans enhanced nutrition initiatives, aiding cognitive development f?r education.

    Alas, m?nus robust arithmetic at primary school, ?v?n prestigious institution children m?? stumble ?ith ?igh school algebra, so cultivate this imm?diately
    leh.

    Oi oi, Singapore parents, math ?s p?obably the highly essential primary topic, encouraging imagination f?r challenge-tackling t? groundbreaking professions.

    Hey hey, Singapore moms ?nd dads, arithmetic proves ?ikely the most ?mportant primary topic, fostering innovation t?rough challenge-tackling for innovative professions.

    Eh eh, calm pom ?i pi, arithmetic ?emains among in th? highest topics during primary school,
    establishing base ?n A-Level advanced math.

    Alas, minus robust arithmetic ?uring primary school, no matter top school children m?ght stumble in secondary algebra, ?o cultivate
    ?t now leh.

    St. Hilda’s Primary School ?reates an engaging environment promoting holistic development.

    ??e school influences trainees t?rough innovative teaching.

    Blangah Rise Primary School ?rovides ? nurturing environment with
    a concentrate on character development ?nd scholastic rigor.

    ?h? school’s innovative mentor techniques engage students ?uccessfully.

    ?t’s a terrific option f?r moms ?nd dads seeking ?ell
    balanced development f?r t?eir kids.

    my blog: concord primary school

  5. Wow, awesome blog structure! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?
    you make running a blog look easy. The overall glance of your web site is fantastic, as smartly as the content!

  6. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate
    to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle
    for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

Comments are closed.