elhara's Reviews
Cookbook Reviews
2 books reviewed. Showing 1 to 2Sort by: Rating | Title 
12,167 Kitchen and Cooking Secrets: Everyday Tips, Hints, Techniques and More
By Susan Sampson
Robert Rose - 2009
Do you ever wish for an in-house chef? A top notch adviser or maybe your high school home ec. teacher? Not to cook, but to be there to instantly answer questions with helpful, tested information and tips, an assistant heavy on the wisdom. We don't always want to run to our mothers for the answers. They often don't have the answers. (don't tell them that.) Asking friends or colleagues is fine but we pray they aren't among our attending dinner companions. Sharing the spotlight just won't do. The goal is to wow our guests, to be crowned a culinary "Wonder".
With such a vast quantity and a particularly wide array
of information themed all things kitchen, I find myself overwhelmed and disorganized. My repertoire consists of an endless chaotic collection of tips and tidbits. All those sticky notes, newspaper clippings, addendums in book margins and the like aren't working for me. The problem isn't one of too much information, it's of too much stray information.
I came across an ad just before Mother's day in the Toronto Star Newspaper. The offering was of books thought to make a nice gift for Mom. I noticed one book called 12,167 Kitchen and Cooking Secrets authored by Susan Sampson. As an award winning and regular Star columnist who pulls double duty as food editor Ms Sampson is someone who has helped me put a few winners on the table. I was intrigued. Alas, the book wasn't in the cards for me this Mother's Day, so I did the next best thing. I borrowed it from the library.
Here's a book filled with just about anything you can throw at it. Which vegetables freeze well, how on earth do you crack that coconut. How about how to deport those fruit flies, nasty little beggars that they are. This book even boasts a rather comical section entry titled "Advice to Ignore" further described as "Silly, Useless Tips That Are Passed Around". I was now more intrigued and confess to carrying the book around with me as I tried to absorb as much as I could before its return due date.
Book plugging is a new hat for me to wear, but
when something is this good it feels good to spread the word. An ultra informative and entertaining book. I highly recommend this one.
Crazy Water Pickled Lemons: Enchanting Dishes from the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa
By Diana Henry
Mitchell Beazley - 2006
For those interested in Mediterranean fare, this is a great book to start the adventure. Beautifully illustrated with sumptuous photos, you're bound to find your mouth watering.
The book is divided into chapters with tempting titles like: The spice Trail, A Bowl of Fresh Herbs and Pith and Skin, Ms Henry offers a variety of recipes that home cooks can easily manage. Oven temps, measurements, etc. are displayed in imperial & metric; Even gas marks are stated.
I loved the Herb-Scented Chocolate Truffles recipe which lists sprigs of fresh lavender as an ingredient and the Fennel, Pomegranate and Feta Salad is delicious.
The directions plus some added friendly tips are easy to understand. I have found many culturally based recipe books to be intimidating. This user friendly book is definitely not. Most ingredients can be found in your regular grocery store. Some ingredients may require a broader search. That's half the fun!