Archive for the ‘Regional’ Category

“Quick & Easy Mexican Cooking,” Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Pros: Delicious! Great layout
Cons: Some ingredients may be a little tough to find
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review book (published 20011) provided by Chronicle Books.

 

Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee’s Quick & Easy Mexican Cooking: More Than 80 Everyday Recipes includes more than 80 recipes that won’t take all day to prepare. Ms. Lee’s parents bought a Mexican grocery store when she was young, and so began her education in Mexican foods. Neighborhood women would share recipes with her and her family, and once she graduated from college she lived in Mexico for a time.

Luckily for us it’s easier to find Mexican ingredients in a wide variety of stores now, but some ingredients still might not appear on your local supermarket shelves. However, I didn’t find that to be a huge problem when working with the book, just an occasional note. And of course, these days you can order many ingredients online.

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“Noodles Every Day,” Corinne Trang

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Pros: Delicious results! Wide variety of recipes
Cons: Not quite what “Every Day” makes me think of; be sure you don’t mind hunting down a few ingredients
Rating: 4 out of 5

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

 

When I read a book title like Corinne Trang’s Noodles Every Day, I tend to picture quick, simple recipes intended for working families. I don’t think that’s too far off from the assumption most cookbook buyers in the USA will make, so you should know first of all that most of these recipes are a little complex for a tired person just home from work. On the other hand, they also aren’t horribly complex. As long as you know that ahead of time, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by a mismatch of expectations.
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“Tapas,” Joyce Goldstein

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Pros: Fascinating information and delicious recipes!
Cons: More ingredient listings would be nice
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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

 

When I lived in Boston over my college years I was introduced to the concept of tapas at a local tapas restaurant, and instantly fell in love with them. According to Wikipedia:

Tapas (IPA: [ˈtapˌas]) is the name of a wide variety of appetizers in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as puntillitas, which are battered, fried baby squid).

In North America and the United Kingdom, tapas have evolved into an entire cuisine. In these countries, patrons of tapas restaurants can order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal.

The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. Also, in some countries it is customary for diners to stand and move about while eating tapas.

In Joyce Goldstein’s book, Tapas: Sensational Small Plates from Spain, she explains the origin of tapas as snacks meant to accompany wine, and the manner in which they evolved into el tapeo, or “essentially the Spanish version of the English pub crawl.” Instead of a formal dinner, people wander from bar to bar enjoying small plates of food along with their drinks.
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“Seasoned with Grace,” Eldress Bertha Lindsay

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

Pros: Fascinating details about the Shaker community; some delicious recipes
Cons: More useful as a resource on the Canterbury Shakers than as a cookbook
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“New England Cooking,” Claire Hopley

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

Pros: Delicious recipes; good layout; wonderful snapshot of New England cookery
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

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The Great Country Inns of America Cookbook

Friday, September 21st, 2007

Pros: Delicious foods suitable for guests; wonderful tips for inns to explore; more than 400 recipes
Cons: Tons of butter; no photos; some ambiguous directions
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Jerk from Jamaica: Barbecue Caribbean Style,” by Helen Willinsky

Monday, April 9th, 2007

Pros: Subtle, complex, delicious flavors; easy recipes
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“Jewish Holiday Feasts,” by Louise Fiszer & Jeannette Ferrary

Friday, February 16th, 2007

Pros: wonderful food, short and easy recipes
Cons: none that I could find
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“Grandmother’s Cookbook,” by Elizabeth Rose von Hohen and Carrie J. Gamble

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007

Pros: Truly inspiring food and memories
Cons: It definitely helps to know your way around a kitchen
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“The Essential Kitchen: Dim Sum,” by Vicki Liley

Tuesday, August 8th, 2006

Pros: Good range of recipes of various styles and types; delicious dishes
Cons: At least one recipe that really didn’t impress
Rating: 4 out of 5

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