Archive for the ‘Ingredient-Focused’ Category

“The Butcher’s Guide to Well-Raised Meat,” Applestone, Applestone, and Zissu

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Pros: Fantastic repository of knowledge, information, how-to’s, and delicious recipes
Cons: I imagine it would be a bit tough to learn to butcher from images and descriptions alone
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (published 20011) provided by Random House.

 

Joshua and Jessica Applestone opened Fleisher’s, an old-fashioned butcher shop with a modern purpose in mind: they wanted to source only pasture-raised, local animals that had been fed a natural diet and had been treated well. Many people told them they’d never be able to make it work, and yet they did—largely by educating people on the differences between factory-farmed and well-raised meats, and by returning to a neighborhood, customer-oriented style of business. They weren’t afraid to tell people that the fact that they ran out of a specific meat was a good sign, one that meant they weren’t sourcing indiscriminately or throwing away less popular cuts. They weren’t afraid to reject a supplier if they found out something wasn’t right with an animal. They also weren’t afraid to show people how to make great food on a decent budget despite the additional expense in sourcing well-raised animals.

(more…)

“Rum Drinks”, Jessica B. Harris

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Pros: Great food; long list of rum drinks
Cons: Drinks didn’t entirely wow me
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book (published 2009) provided courtesy of Chronicle Books.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Jessica Harris’s Rum Drinks: 50 Caribbean Cocktails, From Cuba Libre to Rum Daisy starts off with some rum-related history, then delves into elements of mixology for those of us who haven’t made a lot of drinks before. Then it segues straight into two chapters of drinks (Classic Concoctions and Tropical Tipples), as well as one of Caribbean Snacks to go with.

(more…)

“Bacon,” James Villas

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Pros: Wide variety of recipes—including desserts! Suggested substitutions for unusual bacons
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

When I saw The Bacon Cookbook: More than 150 Recipes from Around the World for Everyone’s Favorite Food in the stores over the holidays, I couldn’t help getting it. Not only is it a cookbook about BACON, but it’s by James Villas, author of our favorite, and oft-used, biscuit cookbook! (”Biscuit Bliss”) In this case, he has collected recipes from all around the world that involve bacon of one type or another, suggested substitutions for those bacons we might not be able to easily get in the US, included a few fun stories, and occasionally changed up a recipe a little.

(more…)

“Guac Off,” Nathan Myers

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Pros: Simple, delicious, hilarious
Cons:
Rating: 5 out of 5

Review book (published 2009) courtesy of Chronicle Books.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Ahh, guacamole. Is there another food that is as decadent and yet healthful at the same time? Avocados have a rich taste and creamy texture. Sure they’re fatty, but they’re exploding with healthful nutrients. Nowadays you won’t just find avocados in food—you’ll find them in shampoos and skin treatments. They’re buttery and flavorful, and when you mash them with a little lime juice and salt, and serve with tortilla chips, they’re divine. But maybe you’ve already discovered that there’s more to guacamole than that. Some chefs add chopped tomato. Others add diced chilies. Perhaps you’ve experienced one of the more “out there” guacs with fresh herbs, mashed fruit, or a variety of veggies in it. While there are purists who run in horror from such concoctions, Nathan Myers encourages you to explore your options in Guac Off!

 
(more…)

“Spices & Herbs” (CIG) Leslie Bilderback, CMB

Monday, June 16th, 2008

Pros: Great info for exploratory and adventuresome cooks; plenty of uses for herbs & spices; delicious recipes; handy sources
Cons: Most of the spice mixes are on a very large scale; a handful of typesetting and editing snafus that can confuse slightly; no suggested substitutions
Rating: 4 out of 5

(more…)

“Coffee,” Betty Rosbottom

Monday, March 17th, 2008

Pros: Great balance between technique & recipes; wonderful recipes; gorgeous photos
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

(more…)

“Olive Oil from Tree to Table,” Peggy Knickerbocker

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

Pros: Fascinating guide; wonderful recipes; gorgeous photos
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

(more…)

“Wild Game Cookery,” J. Carol Vance

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008

Pros: A wide variety of good game recipes; clear layout; great tips
Cons: Some not-so-great recipes; no photos; dubious “low fat” designations
Rating: 4 out of 5

(more…)

“Luscious Lemon Desserts” by Lori Longbotham

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007

Pros: Delectable lemon desserts; clear instructions; lovely photos
Cons: It can be hard to find lemon oil; some unusual flavors not everyone will love
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,


(more…)

“A Passion for Cheese,” Paul Gayler

Tuesday, September 5th, 2006

Pros: Elegant, delicious recipes
Cons: Where the heck do I find some of these cheeses?
Rating: 4 out of 5

(more…)