Regional & International Books - Page 20

A Thousand Days in Tuscany: A Bittersweet Adventure

Marlena De Blasi

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Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Italy -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

They had met and married on perilously short acquaintance, she an American chef and food writer, he a Venetian banker. Now they were taking another audacious leap, unstitching their ties with exquisite Venice to live in a roughly renovated stable in Tuscany.

Once again, it was love at first sight. Love for the timeless countryside and the ancient village of San Casciano dei Bagni, for the local vintage and the magnificent cooking, for the Tuscan sky and the friendly church bells. Love especially for old Barlozzo, the village mago, who escorts the newcomers to Tuscany’s seasonal festivals; gives them roasted country bread drizzled with just-pressed olive oil; invites them to gather chestnuts, harvest grapes, hunt truffles; and teaches them to caress the simple pleasures of each precious day. It’s Barlozzo who guides them across the minefields of village history and into the warm and fiercely beating heart of love itself.

A Thousand Days in Tuscany is set in one of the most beautiful places on earth–and tucked into its fragrant corners are luscious recipes (including one for the only true bruschetta) directly from the author’s private collection.

The Cook's Illustrated Guide To Grilling And Barbecue: A Practical Guide for the Outdoor Cook

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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Outdoor Cooking -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Cook’s Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbecue is a comprehensive nuts and bolts volume that thoroughly examines outdoor cooking—starting with the basics. The 12-page introduction to grilling, "Outdoor Cooking 101," walks you step-by-step through the essentials of grilling, grill-roasting, and barbecuing using both charcoal and gas grills.

And since outdoor cooking requires just the right tools and equipment, the editors of Cook's Illustrated share the results of their product tests in an extensive buyers guide, "Equipment and Tools for Outdoor Cooking," where charcoal grills, gas grills, grill brushes, tongs, instant-read thermometers, and more are rated. At a glance, you will know which brands we recommend (and why) and which to avoid.

Armed with the right equipment and instructions, you’ll be ready to tackle just about any recipe from a simple and perfectly cooked burger to succulent pulled pork and restaurant-perfect grilled tuna. You’ll find more than 450 recipes for all your favorites—steak tips, ribs, and barbecued chicken as well as some that will expand your repertoire—from Thai-Grilled Chicken and Skirt Steak Tacos to Grilled Corn with Spicy Chili Butter and Bruschetta with Fresh Herbs.

The Cook’s Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbecue also contains more than 300 step-by-step illustrations that walk you through the basics of food preparation, such as how to cut beef for kebabs, trim beef tenderloin, and grill-roast a turkey.

Whether you’re a novice outdoor cook or aspiring grillmaster, this encyclopedic examination of one of America’s favorite pastimes will be your guide to foolproof grilling and barbecuing.

Rachael Ray: Just In Time

Rachael Ray

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In this irresistible collection Rachael continues to work her 30-minute magic with nearly 100 awesomely delicious brand-new recipes. From pasta to pizzas, soups to sammies, and chicken, fish, and meat, you’ll find a 30-minute-meal to suit every appetite.

But what if you don’t have even 30 minutes? No worries, Rachael has you covered with her quickest-ever 15-minute meals. Why order pizza when you can have Provencal Tuna Melts, Italian Surf ‘n Turf Salad- even a fabulous paella- on the table in just 15 minutes? You’ll never reach for the take-out menus again when super speedy Pea and Parsley Soup with Canadian Bacon and Skillet Tamale Pie are the delicious alternatives.

And what about those days when you want to slow things down a bit? Rachael’s got the perfect recipes for those times, too. Her 60-minute meals like Paprika Chicken Stew with Potato Pierogies, Chicken, Corn and Tomatillo Lasagna, and Swordfish Rolls with Spaghetti Squash don’t require any more effort from the cook, but they tale advantage of a little extra time in the oven or simmering on the stove to develop those great, deep flavors we all crave on lazy days. Among these dishes are some of Rachael’s “Double Duty Dinners,” recipes that you cook once, serve twice, but look and taste so different that no one will be the wiser (such as Chicken in Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Chive Egg Noodles in which the base magically morphs into Tarragon-Tomato Chicken and Bread Soup another night).

You’ll also fine fun Rachael Ray signature meals like:

BLD (meals you can eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)
MYOTO (Make Your Own Take-Out Meals) that feature ethnic flavors but no mystery or fats
Date Night Dinners and Fancy Fake-Outs that are every bit as elegant as the fare from your favorite little bistro
The Kids Will Eat It meals (besides chicken nuggets) that will bring even the pickiest eaters to the table

This is Rachael’s most versatile book yet, the one that will help you get the very most out of every minute you spend in the kitchen- whether you’re rushing to the beat of the clock or taking advantage of a little extra time to stop and smell the veggies roasting. Either way you’ll be dishing up some of Rachael’s most appealing recipes ever- and all on your own schedule.

Pizza on the Grill: 100 Feisty Fire-Roasted Recipes for Pizza & More

Elizabeth Karmel, Bob Blumer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

As Good as A Pizzeria 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I originally heard about the author and her book from NBC's Today Show. It is a great book if you love pizza and want an authentic pizzeria taste without leaving home. The sauces are quick and easy... most from the pantry. The dough recipe is outstanding (foolproof) even using a bread machine and makes two pizzas... one to use then the other to freeze for another quick evening meal. Some of the recipes could be time consuming and require lots of ingredients; however, I've found them easily adaptable to comfort level. This cookbook is worth having on the shelve.

Editorial Review:

Americans love pizza and Americans love to grill--put them together and you have your own made-at-home version of a wood-oven pizza, straight from your gas or charcoal grill. Pizza on the Grill contains 100 recipes for innovative, just-got-to-make-it pizzas--including dessert pizzas--that will make you the backyard patio grill meister or mistress of your neighborhood--think Thai One On Pizza, Pulled Pork Pizza, and Fig, Walnut, and Rosemary Pizza, along with traditional classics like Pizza Margherita and Little Italy Pepperoni Pizza. Each recipe will contain music-to-grill-by and drink suggestions, as well as appetizers and salads to round out the meal and make this a one-top entertaining resource.

Vegan Fusion World Cuisine: Healing Recipes and Timeless Wisdom from our Hearts to Yours

Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 77 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Vegan Heaven 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I've tried about half of these recipes and had good success. Breads, pastas, pizzas, salads, dressings, deserts - it's all here. This is vegan heaven!

Beautiful 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I'm a vegan living outside NYC. I am a huge fan of your book, the hardcover, it's actually my favorite cookbook. It is beautifully photographed and just a lovely book to own and use in your kitchen!

Editorial Review:

This is a groundbreaking work that has won five awards in the US and is a celebration of international gourmet vegan cuisine that introduces us to the simplicity of a vibrant, healthy lifestyle. Much more than a cookbook, this artistic treasure contains stunning food photography, inspiring graphics, natural-food cooking charts and kitchen wisdom for all. A foreword by Dr Jane Goodall highlights its aim to inspire peace and understanding amongst individuals, cultures and all who care about our planet. "Vegan Fusion World Cuisine" contains 200+ sumptuous recipes from the award-winning Blossoming Lotus Restaurants, uniting cooking traditions from around the world. It's an all-encompassing guide to health, beauty and an inspired lifestyle. Mark and Bo hope to awaken people to the healing potential within themselves.

The Pastry Queen: Royally Good Recipes from the Texas Hill Country's Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe

Rebecca Rather, Alison Oresman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 50 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Yummmmmmm! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Just the recipe of the ALL SOLD OUT CHICKEN POT PIES alone is reason enough to buy this book. They are incredible!
The Texas tortilla soup is a favorite. The desserts are extra yummy too.

My FAVORITE cookbook! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

We visited the Rather Sweet Bakery in Fredericksburg, TX last year and I LOVED it. We ended up going there for breakfast every morning we were there. When I saw she had a book with the actual recipes from her restaurant I could not resist.

Everything I have made has been perfect. These recipes are not for the person looking to lose weight (butter, suger, YUMMY!), but they are absolutely delicious. I have not had one thing come out less than delicious. I love the scones, kolaches, and chocolate chip cookies (the best I have ever made or eaten). If I cooked from this as much as I wanted I would be so fat (but very happy). I swear this cookbook has made my husband and little boys love me more!!!

Buy this book!

One note, most recipes make enough for a party, so I would suggest cutting the recipes in half if you are a family of 4 like us.

Editorial Review:

Reflecting the finest produce and culinary traditions of the Lone Star State, the chef-owner of Rather Sweet Bakery puts her own spin on such tasty treats as Bacon-Cheddar Scones, Texas High Hairs Tarts, Fourth-of-July's Fried Pies, Turbo-Charged Brownies with Praline Topping, Kolaches, and other al

White Trash Cooking (Jargon)

Ernest Matthew Mickler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Superb Regional Cookbook 5 out of 5 stars.
21 of 22 people found this review helpful.

I must confess that I resisted buying this cookbook for many years. I am an avid collector of American Regional and International cookbooks, but found the title of this book offensive. I assumed it was written to mock rural whites, a people I know to be hardworking, self-reliant, and decent. I was wrong about this one. This book actually celebrates these people and their cuisine, and is one of the very best traditional American cookbooks in print. Great recipes for fried chicken, catfish, hushpuppies, collard greens, Hoppin John, cornbread, and biscuits, as well as rabbit, squirrel, and yes, even possum. The book has a folksy humor throughout, and the recipes are authentic. Books like this become even more precious as this and other American regional cuisines disappear under a blanket of bland corporate burger chains, sub shops, and pizza joints. Incidentally, several recent medical studies have shown that rural Appalachians who consume this traditional fare are far healthier than those who embrace the modern suburban diet of chain restaurant food! If you have any interest in traditional American cooking, this book is a must-own.

Editorial Review:

This is not a joke book or a parody. This is a warmly written, humorous, and quite serious cookbook filled with delightful traditional and unusual recipes. It includes wonderful photographs by the author of people and places and food all connected to his fondness and memory of growing up in rural and small town Mississippi. You may not be tempted to try every single recipe in this book, but you won't be able to resist trying many ofthem!

Rocco's Real-Life Recipes

Rocco DiSpirito

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Rocco finally sells out! 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is the first cookbook of Rocco Dispirito that I have purchased, and the last. I have used his recipes from Food Network website, and thought this book would be useful. I admit that I just got it yesterday and have not tried the recipes yet, but I am not sure that I can given how he has sold out to Bertolli, Amore and other food companies. I have never seen such blatant product placement in a cookbook. It just turns me off. Such a shame. He is a charismatic, handsome, very talented guy. Who would have thought he would need to make a deal like this to make money.

Editorial Review:

As “Best New Chef” (Food & Wine, 1999) and “America's Most Exciting Young Chef” (Gourmet, 2000), as well as the star of NBC reality show, The Restaurant (2003), Rocco DiSpirito has developed a loyal following who love his flavorful recipes that can be prepared quickly and with easy to find ingredients. The cookbook is peppered with Rocco's own thoughts about cooking and short cuts that address the importance of having a judicious mix of fresh and prepared foods to suit today's busy lifestyle regardless of the occasion. To emphasize this belief, all 175 of Rocco's favorite recipes can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.

Harumi's Japanese Cooking: More than 75 Authentic and Contemporary Recipes from Japan's Most PopularCooking Expert

Harumi Kurihara

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Pleasure to Read and Enjoy 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I enjoy reviewing and using Harumi's Japanese Cooking Cookbook. Since I have a family who enjoy Japanese cooking, it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to purchase a lasting memory that I can enjoy over and over in my home. Recipes from another country is so thrilling to experience and enjoy. Thank you for providing me with this source.

Editorial Review:

Cooking expert and lifestyle guru Harumi Kurihara has won over the hearts of Japanese home cooks with her simple, delicious recipes. After selling millions of copies of her cookbooks, magazines, and housewares in her home country, this charismatic former housewife now shares her award-winning kitchen secrets with Americans for the first time.

These elegant, effortless recipes reflect Harumi's down-to-earth approach to Japanese cooking. Simply written and featuring everyday ingredients, recipes include Pan-Fried Noodles with Pork and Bok Choy, Warm Eggplant Salad, Japanese Pepper Steak, Seafood Miso Soup, and Harumi's popular Carrot and Tuna Salad, along with a chapter on simple ways to make delectable sushi at home.

Demystifying Japanese cooking and celebrating freshness, seasonality, and simplicity, this delightful book introduces Americans to one of the food world's brightest stars, and invites us to cook with her, one gracious dish at a time.

The Pastry Queen Christmas: Big-hearted Holiday Entertaining, Texas Style

Rebecca Rather, Alison Oresman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Reviewing: "The Pastry Queen Christmas: Big-Hearted Holiday Entertaining Texas Style" 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fredericksburg, Texas area resident Rebecca Rather, owner of the "Sweet Bakery and Cafe" since 1999 has created a very good holiday book full of Texas color and recipes. After an acknowledgment that thanks her customers as well as many others who helped in some way with her writing career, and an introduction that gives personal background, it is time for the recipes.

Chapter One "Holiday Open House" starts with "Old-Fashioned Eggnog." Be warned, this isn't the kind of eggnog one buys in the grocery stores these days. Recipes for "Cranberry-Walnut Scones, Mustard Baked Ham, Green Chile and Cheddar Baking Powder Biscuits, Red Velvet Cupcakes with Mascarpone Cream Cheese Icing" are just a few of the delectable recipes in this chapter. Pictures are many and include not only the finished product but also often a picture at some point in the recipe before it is a finished product. "Tips" are many as well with various suggestions concerning adding other ingredients to the recipes mentioned. Along the way there is the occasional story about the recipe detailing the background of the dish.

A subsection of Chapter One begins on page 43 and is titled "Outdoor Tree Trimming" along with brief instructions on how to make "fresh fruit ornaments, dried fruit ornaments,"etc. there are the recipes. The recipes start with "In-The-Bag Chili Frito Pie," and move to "Rather Minty Brownies, My Mistake Cookies" and other treats. This is a very short section at six pages.

"Ranch Barn Brunch" is the title for Chapter Two beginning on page 51 and the Chapter works off the theme of the author's love of horses. Friends of the author provided the barn for the party pictures and she again explains about her love of horses and how the party was designed. The recipes begin with "Larry Doll's Famous Cranberry Margaritas" and include among other mouthwatering recipes "Seasonal Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, Brown Sugar Bacon, Mexican Ranch Chilaquiles, Mexican Camp Bread" among many others. Like in Chapter One, there are numerous color photos of the meals as well as numerous tips along with personal stories about the history of the recipes and the people in the author's life.

Chapter 2 concludes with a section on "Making Gingerbread Houses." Templates for the houses are included in the appendix. As part of the making gingerbread houses, which is a kid involved activity, she makes a few other suggestions of what to make now that the kids are in the kitchen. "Sour Cream and Chicken Enchiladas" is one with "Torched S'mores" being another of the several possibilities.


"Christmas Eve" is Chapter Three (page 99) which kicks off with "LBJ Ranch Crown Roast of Lamb with Rice Stuffing and Jalapeño-Mint Sauce. If that doesn't strike your fancy, maybe "Blue Corn Blinis with Crab and Avocado Crema" will work for you. The recipe makes 28 servings which means since they are appetizers, you might need to double upon it. There is always "Green Olive Beef Tenderloin" as well as "Martha's Best -Ever Rolls. Save room for the "Christmas Coconut Cake." As in every chapter, there are far more recipes than I have mentioned here, along with color photographs, history and tips.

"Cookie Decorating" is a little section at the end of this chapter and is all about the kids and having fun. Pretty much self explanatory and this section begins on page 133.

"Christmas Day" marks Chapter Four in a chapter working around the theme of the day and beautiful Christmas dinners. It begins on page 143 and buffet is the order of the day in the author's house. One of the first dishes to be consumed is her "Green Bean Bundles." The "Texas Spice-Rubbed Roast Pork" sounds mighty good and looks good too. As does the "Cajun Roast Turkey" (no picture though) and numerous other dishes. Included are the usual photographs, tips, and personal history.

At the end of the Chapter is another small section titled "Wrapping Up the Holidays with Edible Gifts." Aptly titled and self explanatory, it covers little tasty treats such as "Denise's Vanilla Caramels, Lola's Sunday Fudge," among other items.

"New Year's Eve" is the title for Chapter Five and the final Chapter in this book which begins on page 183. Beyond the gorgeous photograph of a spinning windmill against a Texas sunset there are recipes such as "Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Quesadillas with Cranberry-Pecan Salsa, Mother's Lobster Bisque, Ken Hall's Standing Rib Roast" and many others with a distinctive Texas flavor. Of course, there are more photographs, tips and history here following the format used throughout the book. This chapter closes the book and is followed by the aforementioned templates for a gingerbread house and an index.

At 225 pages, this is a beautifully photographed book full of recipes, Texas history and culture and ways to do the season right. Written in a down home style, this is not a pretentious book and does not at any time talk down to readers. It provides easy clear instructions, something many cookbooks lack, along with pictures, to help you through the recipe process.

It does lack basic info on dietary issues. While it states how many servings a dish has, it doesn't make any mention of sodium counts, fats, sugars, etc. in regards to health, Granted, it is a book for the holiday season and many folks ignore such issues during that time, but for others such information is critically important year around.

That being said a lot of that sort of info can be determined by considering the recipe itself before making the item. Therefore, the lack of info is a minor quibble overall and one that can be ignored simply because this is such a beautifully done book full of mouth watering recipes. A book well worth your time and investment in and one sure to assist you for many holidays to come.



Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008

Editorial Review:

The annual Fredericksburg Christmas parade marks the beginning of the Hill Country's holiday season, which means the Pastry Queen is kicking into high gear at her Rather Sweet Bakery and Caf?. As party invitations pile up in the mailbox, Rebecca Rather is up to her elbows in sticky meringue, gooey chocolate, and a sleigh's worth of savory indulgences to meet the Texas-sized entertaining-to-go orders of her neighbors. In THE PASTRY QUEEN CHRISTMAS, Rebecca shares nearly a hundred traditional recipes reflecting her made-with-love-from-scratch philosophy and the tastes of small-town Texas. Tree-trimming, open houses, cookie decorating, and Santas running down Main Street . . . Christmas time is here.