International Books - Page 23

Nicaraguan Cooking

Trudy Espinoza-Abrams

Amazon Price: $18.89 List Price: $20.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Xlibris Corporation Amazon Marketplace: 24 new & used starting at $14.80

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Latin American
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In this first English-language book of Nicaraguan cooking (and indeed, the only one available in any language), Trudy Espinoza-Abrams has dug deep into her childhood in Granada, Nicaragua and sifted through the countless hours spent in her grandmother's kitchen and her aunt's restaurant to come up with a comprehensive guide to Nicaraguan cooking, recipes, ingredients, and food preparation techniques that is both easy to follow and reliably produces excellent and delicious results, even for inexperienced cooks. The book contains many recipes, divided into sections on Breakfast, Salads, Appetizers, Soups, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Sauces, Desserts, and Drinks. Included are all the famous dishes of Nicaragua, such as Sopa de Carne (Beef Soup), Vaho (Steamed Vegetables with Beef), Plato de Tortuga (Turtle Stew), Nacatamal (Corn & Pork Tamale), Vigorón (Yucca with Pork), Gallo Pinto (Red Beans & Rice), Buñuelos (Cassava Patties with Syrup), Sopa Borracha (Drunken Soup), and many dozens of other traditional Nicaraguan dishes eaten daily in thousands of homes throughout the country. A Glossary of the Spanish-language food terms used in the book is included, as well as a section of food preparation tips. In addition, sprinkled throughout the book are Ms. Espinoza-Abrams' recollections of her grandmother and early life in Nicaragua. Ms. Espinoza-Abrams is already an accomplished writer, having authored the popular Medical Spanish Made Ridiculously Simple (MedMaster, 1992), now in its second edition after having sold over 10,000 copies.

The Tortilla Book

Diana Kennedy

List Price: $15.00 By: Perennial Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $13.77

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Mexican
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> General AAS

Editorial Review:

Diana Kennedy, the authoritative cultural missionary for the foods of Mexico, shows the incredible range of her imagination as she concentrates on one amazingly versatile ingredient: the humble tortilla. "No one touches Diana Kennedy when it comes to Mexican food."--New York magazine. 38 halftones and line drawings.

Cardamom and Lime: Recipes from the Arabian Gulf

Sarah Al-hamad

Amazon Price: $19.67 List Price: $26.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Interlink Books Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $18.60

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Middle Eastern
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> General

Editorial Review:

This stunning book contains a wealth of delicious recipes that reflect the flavors and traditional dishes of the Arabian Gulf: Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Little is known in the West about this rich cuisine. Cardamom and Lime provides readers with the inspiration to create these wonderful dishes.

The book starts with a fascinating introduction to the history of the Gulf and the traditions and customs that make food such an essential part of daily life. The cuisine of the Arabian Gulf is diverse yet individual and has long been associated with companionship and tradition. Rice features heavily, as do grains and pulses, while chicken, lamb and fish are also found in traditional dishes. Dates are an essential part of any chapter on desserts, but you will also find aromatic cardamom cake, rose-scented rice pudding and teas. From machbous laham (fragrant lamb pilaf) to mrabyan (shrimp and rice), there is plenty here to tempt the taste buds.

Throughout the book there are beautiful photographs and feature spreads to give a flavor of life in the Gulf, making this a unique and eye-opening introduction to this fabulous cuisine.

Little Foods of the Mediterranean: 500 Fabulous Recipes for Antipasti, Tapas, Hors d'Oeuvres, Meze, and More

Clifford A. Wright

List Price: $37.95 By: Harvard Common Press Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $69.75

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Meals -> Appetizers
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> European -> Mediterranean
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Little Foods Charm us All 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Little Foods of the Mediterranean:
500 Fabulous Recipes for Antipasti, Tapas,
Hors d'oeuvre, Meze and More









By Clifford A. Wright

Author of A Mediterranean Feast

This is an important food book written by a distinguished research scholar, cook and food writer. Wright makes you feel as if you are on-location in the friendly sunny Med when he teaches you why the foods are available, then how the folks there make little snacks with the fresh foods. Wright gives intense scrutiny to all his projects, so much so he dedicated this 514-page book to his youngest son, "who wondered when we would again eat `big' food."

Here are some of the foods, recipes and color the book is chock full of:

One of Wright's many indexes, "Cheesy Mouthfuls," contains such muchies as Spanish Baked Cheese Marbles, Gruyere Half-Moons, his favorite, Saganaki and an item he calls Provolone and Mortadella Bombs. He feels Saganaki with a squirt of lemon and a glass of oouzo aside the Ionian Sea is pretty close to what a heaven must be.

Under "Frittatas and Other Eggy Delights," he borrows dishes from Andalusia, Cordoba, Tunisia and Egypt, noting there are only four countries where Frittatas are eaten: Italy, Spain, Algeria and Tunisia. One eye-catcher is Poached Eggs in Garlicky Yogurt.

The "Saucy Little Dishes" parts are meant to open the appetite and satisfy the soul. These little dishes, little foods, are ever-popular and Wright keeps changing his mind about his favorite, probably most. Try Pork and Pine Nut Meatballs in Romesco Sauce, Carp Croquettes in Walnut Sauce in the style of the Greek Jews. How about Fresh Anchovy in Orange Sauce.

Another section is "Stuffed Vegetables" ranging from zucchini flowers, olives, potatoes to even onions. The Imam (word for a Muslim prayer leader) Fainted is a stuffed eggplant dish, one of Turkeys' most famous mezes, for it is said the prayer leader fainted when he realized how good the dish was. Few recipes gain such lofty titles.

In his "Filled Pastries, Puffs, Pies and Baked Turnovers" section Wright offers the recipe for Spicy Octopus Pie in a Red Wine Crust from the Port of Sete. He offers a care-filled lesson on cleaning an octopus you have caught yourself.

"Pizzas, Calzones and Empanadas" is a sizeable section. His San Vito's Pizza, comes with its own history and calls for pork shoulder, tomato, Italian sausage, salami, cinnamon, cheeses, fennel seeds and oregano. Calzones and Empanadas are carefully described, all being breadish conveyors of tasty ingredients, baked in very hot ovens.

His section entitled "Fried Tidbits," brings you Fried Kibbe, Mediterranean-Style Fried Small Fish, Fried Stuffed Cabbage Bundles from Catalonia, French Fried Pumpkin with Green Sauce from Naples, Fried Stuffed Olives from Venice and mjuch more.

Wright's "Seafood Salads and Platters" is probably crowned by the Venetian Seafood Antipasto - shrimp, mussels, cockles, little necks, oysters, baby octopus, tuna steak and cod fillets, bearly cooked and served drizzles with olive oil and squirted with fresh lemon.

In closing the book would be incomplete without his recipes for assorted sauces and spice mixes. Find Wright's Allioli, Romesco Sauce, Harissa, Ras al-Hanut, Tabil and more. Doughs and batters are there, suggested menus, too. Wright wisely groups the food for certain groups, i.e. A Summer Grill Party with Arab Meze for 12, Passed Appetizers for a Cocktail Party made for 20 - he pulls together many diverse groups and occasions. Interesting.

On the purely informal, local, U.S. level, my daughter, JoAnn, has a delightful little habit of walking by you and pressing a little crème brulee ramekin in your hand, one containing a little treat she has made up just for you. When you buy this book, you will do well to buy a set of these little cups.

© Marty Martindale, 2005, Largo FL

Editorial Review:

Mediterranean food expert Clifford Wright presents a jaw-dropping collection of more than 500 recipes for all sorts of appetizers, snacks, and little foods traditional across the Mediterranean.

Cooking in Croatia & Bosnia: 425 Croatian and Bosnian Recipes

Karmela Kis

Amazon Price: $16.99 List Price: $16.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: BookSurge Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $16.24

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> General
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Hmm,... 3 out of 5 stars.
8 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I was really excited when I ordered this cookbook. I couldn't wait to surprise my boyfriend and his brother with some 'home cooked Bosnian food'. I looked through the many recipes and only recognized the cabbage rolls and the meat pies. So,.. I'm not Bosnian or Croatian, or even Yugoslavian at all. But NO ONE I showed the recipe book to heard of ANY of the recipes in there!! They actually laughed at them,... I was sooo bummed! I'm not saying that the recipes are not authentic, because I don't know. If they are, they're probably just not 'typical' Bosnian recipes, or something. Maybe just Croatian? Any way, I was just a bit disappointed because I REALLY wanted to cook something for my boyfriend and I couldn't because he didn't know what the recipes were either. Easy enough to read, metric measurements,.. just not at all what I expected. Still, some interesting and tasty sounding recipes.

Editorial Review:

Recipes range from appetizers, to soups and main courses, and naturally, deserts. With an aim to restore the joy of cooking in the American kitchen, some of the delectable recipes presented include catfish in cream, eggplant mousaka, goose stuffed with chestnuts, and a host other mouth watering offerings ready for your table.

Quick & Easy Asian Vegetarian Recipes: Nutritious and Delicious Alternatives (Quick & Easy (Periplus Editions)) (Learn to Cook Series)

Periplus Editions

Amazon Price: $8.76 List Price: $10.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Periplus Editions Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $6.23

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Quick & Easy -> General
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Quick & Easy -> General AAS
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Asian -> General

Editorial Review:

Highly nutritious, easy to digest, and always delicious, Asian vegetarian cuisine offers a healthy, tasty alternative to meat-based meals. Recipes include Brown Rice with Stir-fried Vegetables, Chinese Angel Hair, Green Pea and Tender Tofu Soup, and Fragrant Noodles with Chili and Sesame Sauce, among others.

Roman Cookery: Ancient Recipes for Modern Kitchens

Mark Grant

List Price: $14.95 By: Serif Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $10.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Gastronomy -> History
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Fun read but flawed cookbook 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Roman Cookery is a great read for the fact that Graves provides fascinating insight into ancient cooking techniques and this portion of the text is well researched and presented. As a cookbook however, Roman Cookery has its flaws. A lack of serving sizes is definitly the most striking of these omissions but a general lack of description and explanation makes obtaining the desired end a difficult process. While a couple dishes turned out great a majority were either overcooked or needed more or less of the ingredients to make the meal work (not spices or other opinionated deviations but the neccesary steps such as the amount of flour needed to make dough as opposed to batter, for example).

All in all I would recommend picking up the book to experiment with some side dishes here and there and to read the historical discourse on culinary techniques but don't try to plan a week of meals out of the book or else you may find yourself frustrated in the process.

Editorial Review:

Here is a complete range of traditional Roman dishes, such as olive oil bread flavored with cheese. Included are explanations of the cultural values Romans ascribed to food and the social context in which it was prepared and eaten. While most Roman cookbooks detail complex banquet food enjoyed by only a tiny social elite, this cookbook provides easily made recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner that can be enjoyed by everyone.

The Game Cookbook

Clarissa Wright

Amazon Price: $23.96 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Kyle Books Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $9.73

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Cooking by Ingredient -> Meat, Poultry & Seafood -> Game
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> European -> English, Scottish & Welsh
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This is a landmark cookbook, combining both classic and contemporary recipes together with detailed information on the history, choosing and preparation of game, such as how to hang, pluck and roast. Game is experiencing a real revival. It is a healthy alternative to red meat, being naturally lean, low in cholesterol and high in protein. It is also usually organic or free range. Better still it is inexpensive and can be bought from most supermarkets as well as from the local butcher.Written by two passionate countryside campaigners, Clarissa Dickson-Wright and Johnny Scott known for the BBCs Clarissa and the Countryman series as well as, of course, Clarissas part in the BBCs Two Fat Ladies, this authoritative book will draw any food enthusiast into the kitchen. Anecdotes and information from Johnny Scott about the history and habitat of game make fascinating reading and demystify the world of preparing and cooking game. With over 140 easy-to-follow recipes from Red Wine Venison Burgers to Salmon Fishcakes made with Gnocchi you will be inspired by Clarissa Dickson Wrights flair and imagination time and time again.

The Calcutta Kitchen

Simon Parkes, Udit Sarkhel

Amazon Price: $13.60 List Price: $20.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Interlink Publishing Group Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $10.71

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> Asian -> Indian
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

"What you've got to remember about us Bengalis," a good friend once told Simon Parkes, "is that we're only really interested in three things: educating our children, reading books, and food." Bengalis have a passion for good food--its authenticity, its freshness, its part in social occasions, and the pleasure of serving it at the table. The Calcutta Kitchen captures the essence of those pleasures through the evocative narrative of the BBC Food Programme's Simon Parkes, the recipes of renowned chef Udit Sarkhel, and the pictures of award-winning photographer Jason Lowe.

Calcuttans know and adore fish, vegetables, and desserts in particular. They have a curiosity about food that never fades, and so they have embraced influences from around the world--most notably the English, Armenians, Jews, Tibetans, Chinese, Burmese, and Portuguese. Calcutta, and this book, has a taste of each of these cuisines.

Until recently it was nigh-on impossible to taste Bengali cooking unless you were invited to a private home, yet this is some of the most sophisticated food in India. With its inexhaustible roll-call of fish and vegetables, its pungency derived from the widespread use of mustard (both seeds and oil) and its tempering with a blend of five spices known as panch phoron, it is an evolved yet accessible cuisine.

The Calcutta Kitchen brings you recipes from one of the best-known Bengali chefs, Udit Sarkhel, and snapshots of the fish ponds, markets, artisan food producers, restaurants, clubs, cooks, gourmet, and street foods that play a part in the city's rich culinary culture.

Edible Pockets for Every Meal: Dumplings, Turnovers and Pasties (Nitty Gritty Cookbooks)

Donna Rathmell German

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Bristol Publishing Enterprises Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $5.52

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> International
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> General
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Genuinely Addictive 4 out of 5 stars.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

My copy of this unpretentious little book is rapidly getting dog-eared. If the recipes weren't so very good, my family would surely be dog-tired of pies and turnovers by now, because I can't seem to stop making them! I literally had to start decorating my productions so that we could distinguish the three or four kinds we usually have on hand.

The book has two parts, one on wrappers, and one on fillings. Wrappers are further subdivided into yeasted, pastry, and ready-made wrappers. Fillings are split into Savoury, Vegetarian Savoury, and Sweet. I have no sweet tooth whatsoever, so I can't comment on the sweet fillings, but of the fifteen or twenty savoury fillings I've made so far, there has only been one dud.

So why only four stars?

1) The section on pastry wrappers could be a little longer, with more instruction on the often-devilish details of pastry-making.

2) I like my fillings to have interesting textures. Ms. German seems to prefer puréeing everything.

3) She has a tendency to overcook fillings (astonishing comment, coming from a Brit!)

4) She has a fondness for frozen vegetables.

The last three quibbles are obviously easily rectified by adjusting the recipes to your taste.

Highlights: Spicy Asian Chicken, Chinese Orange Beef, Piroshki, and both of the empanada recipes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your bread machines!

Editorial Review:

Edible pockets are a wonderful way to enclose food – for appetizers, breakfasts, lunches, picnics, casual suppers and desserts. Edible Pockets for Every Meal has been a nitty gritty® best-seller since 1994, bringing together a huge collection of edible pocket recipes from around the world. Whether called dumplings, turnovers, pasties, calzones, empanadas, piroshki, boreks, quesadillas, knishes, pot stickers or samosas, edible pockets are universal.

This newly revised and updated cookbook has lots of recipes for savory fillings made from poultry, meat, seafood, cheese, vegetables and herbs; sweet fillings made with fruit, nuts, chocolate and cream cheese; ready-made wrappers and wrappers made from yeast and pastry dough. There is also extensive information about ingredients, food pairing suggestions and equipment – even a section on leftovers.