Best of
Food-Writing

2001

A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines


Anthony Bourdain - 2001
    Inspired by the question, "What would be the perfect meal?," Tony sets out on a quest for his culinary holy grail, and in the process turns the notion of "perfection" inside out. From California to Cambodia, A Cooks' Tour chronicles the unpredictable adventures of America's boldest and bravest chef.Fans of Bourdain will find much to love in revisting this classic culinary and travel memoir.

Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at the Table


Ruth Reichl - 2001
    Comfort Me with Apples picks up Reichl's story in 1978, when she puts down her chef's toque and embarks on a career as a restaurant critic. Her pursuit of good food and good company leads her to New York and China, France and Los Angeles, and her stories of cooking and dining with world-famous chefs range from the madcap to the sublime. Throughout it all, Reichl makes each and every course a hilarious and instructive occasion for novices and experts alike. She shares some of her favorite recipes, while also sharing the intimacies of her personal life in a style so honest and warm that readers will feel they are enjoying a conversation over a meal with a friend.

The Raw and the Cooked: Adventures of a Roving Gourmand


Jim Harrison - 2001
    For more than twenty years, he has also been writing some of the best essays on food around, now collected in a volume that caused the Santa Fe New Mexican to exclaim: To read this book is to come away convinced that Harrison is a flat-out genius -- one who devours life with intensity, living it roughly and full-scale, then distills his experiences into passionate, opinionated prose. Food, in this context, is more than food: It is a metaphor for life. From his legendary Smart and Esquire columns, to present-day pieces including a correspondence with French gourmet Gerard Oberle, fabulous pieces on food in France and America for Men's Journal, and a paean to the humble meatball, The Raw and the Cooked is a nine-course meal that will satisfy every appetite.Our 'poet laureate of appetite' [Harrison] may be, but the collected essays here reflect much more. -- John Gamino, The Dallas Morning News[A] culinary combo plate of Hunter S. Thompson, Ernest Hemingway, Julian Schnabel, and Sam Peckinpah.... -- Jane and Michael Stern, The New York Times Book ReviewJim Harrison is the Henry Miller of food writing. His passion is infectious. -- Jeffrey Trachtenberg, The Wall Street Journal

The Gastronomy of Italy


Anna Del Conte - 2001
    With fish from the port of Ostia, game from the hills near Rome, and the freshest fruits and vegetables, nature has blessed the country with delicious bounty. Prepare your own Italian feast with luscious recipes that range from antipasti, soups, and seafood to sauces, breads, and pizzas. Background information will acquaint you with the cuisine's development, and the different regional specialties (such as Emilia-Romagna's prosciutto di Parma.) Bring to your table a Frittata al Formaggio, the perfect light main course; Mozzarella in Carozza, or a fried mozzarella sandwich; Anolini alla Piacentina, small ravioli stuffed with braised beef; and Gelato di Crema, a smooth, fresh, lemony custard ice cream. With an A-Z of ingredients and, of course, a wine list from this land of vines!

Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table: Recipes and Reminiscences from Vietnam's Best Market Kitchens, Street Cafes, and Home Cooks


Mai Pham - 2001
    While its cooking traditions have been influenced by those of China, France, and even India, Vietnam has created a cuisine with a spirit and a flavor all its own.Chef and restaurateur Mai Pham brings to life this diverse and exciting cooking in Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table. Born and raised in Saigon before emigrating to the United States, Mai has often returned to her native land to learn the secrets of authentic Vietnamese cooking, from family, friends, home cooks, street vendors, and master chefs. Traveling from region to region, she has gathered the simple, classic recipes that define Vietnamese food today: Green Mango Salad with Grilled Beef, Stir-Fried Chicken with Lemongrass and Chilies, Caramelized Garlic Shrimp, and especially pho, the country's beloved beef-and-noodle soup. With more than 100 recipes in all, Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table offers home cooks the chance to create and savor the traditional flavors of Vietnam in their own kitchen.Filled with enchanting stories and stirring black-and-white photos of life in Vietnam, Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table provides a captivating taste of an enduring culture and its irresistible cuisine.

The Recipe Writer's Handbook, Revised and Expanded


Barbara Gibbs Ostmann - 2001
    To achieve success, a recipe must be written with impeccable accuracy and unambiguous clarity. The Recipe Writer's Handbook achieves both objectives in full measure."-Irena Chalmers, author and professional food writing lecturer at The Culinary Institute of America"The First Edition of The Recipe Writer's Handbook was a terrific resource, and this revised edition is downright indispensable. It is full of answers to questions about recipe style and substance. Ostmann and Baker have cooked up a delicious addition to any serious food writer's desk."-Mitchell Davis, Director of Publications, The James Beard Foundation"Writing recipes is a tricky business, and anyone who wants to do so successfully should have this book. The tables, glossaries, and charts alone are worth the price, not tomention the authors' generous helpings of good, sound advice."-John Willoughby, coauthor, Thrill of the Grill and How to Cook Meat"The Recipe Writer's Handbook is indispensable in the range and depth of information it offers both the novice and seasoned culinary writer. It contains everything you need to know-all beautifully organized and presented in a handy, easy-to-use format. Ostmann and Baker are masters of their trade!"-Paula Lambert, President of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, founder of the Mozzarella Company, and author of The Cheese Lover's Cookbook and GuideFirst Edition Nominated for Best Food Book, 1999 World Media Food Awards

Food of France


Maria Villegas - 2001
    It creates a culinary journey from the restaurants of Lyon to the kitchens of Provence, through the vineyards of Bordeaux to the bakers of Paris, to discover the food that defines today's French cooking: the freshest seafood with herb aioli, winter salt pork with lentils and slow-cooking cassoulet, warm brioche and petits pots de creme.Beautiful photographs shot in France show how to choose the best produce -- from market fresh vegetables to seafood, regional cheeses, and charcuterie. To partner the recipes, special sections explore the essence of French food and drink. Varieties of cheeses, charcuterie, seafood, patisserie, and breads have been photographed to make identification easy.Included are sections on such special topics as: Properly ripening a Camembert The baguette French chocolate Enjoying the best of France's wines and champagnes."About The Food of... series "A culinary journey around the world."Each book in The Food of... series is a comprehensive introduction to the world's great cuisine. These books feature more than 100 delicious recipes that highlight each country's culinary treasures. With instructive color photographs throughout, each recipe helps readers choose and identify produce, from vegetables and flavorings to street snacks, sweets, and colorful and exotic fruits. Feature sections explore the essence of each culture's food and cooking techniques.

French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew


Peter Mayle - 2001
    We visit the Foire aux Escargots. We attend a truly French marathon, where the beverage of choice is Ch�teau Lafite-Rothschild rather than Gatorade. We search out the most pungent cheese in France, and eavesdrop on a heated debate on the perfect way to prepare an omelet. We even attend a Catholic mass in the village of Richerenches, a sacred event at which thanks are given for the aromatic, mysterious, and breathtakingly expensive black truffle. With Mayle as our charming guide, we come away satisfied (if a little hungry), and with a sudden desire to book a flight to France at once.

Living and Eating


John Pawson - 2001
    In his first cookbook, Pawson brings this philosophy of simplicity to the kitchen. In Living & Eating, using methods similar to those he brings to structural design, John Pawson creates simple menus that underscore the unique character of each ingredient. Beginning with a sound foundation, Pawson advises us on the cornerstones of quality in food. In the recipes that follow, he emphasizes the strengths of particular ingredients. The simple poached egg, for example, relies on nothing more than fresh eggs, boiling water, and a splash of vinegar to attain its perfect degree of richness. A more complex dish, such as Lemon Risotto, blends the robust flavors of citrus zest, aged cheeses, and savory broth into a creamy mixture in which each element is maximized.The color photographs that illustrate the book were taken in Pawson’s elegantly spare London townhouse and demonstrate perfectly his vision of uncluttered luxury. Separated into two main parts, Living & Eating covers both cooking and home design.

Being Vegetarian for Dummies


Suzanne Havala - 2001
    As the solo vegetarian, you discreetly add a small cheese pizza to the order--with peppers and onions, of course! Welcome to the world of a vegetarian in an otherwise carnivorous population. Vegetarianism has found itself growing in popularity, whether for religious, health, moral, or many other reasons. Still, it's not uncommon to be the minority in a large group of people based on your vegetarian lifestyle. Going to a restaurant, a dinner party, traveling, and holidays (think: tofurkey!) can often be a challenge for many vegetarians. Being Vegetarian For Dummies helps you choose the vegetarian lifestyle that is right for you, whether you're a vegetarian in the making or if you've been a vegetarian for years . With the helpful advice this guide provides, you'll:Discover the vegetarian food guide pyramid Figure out true benefits of vegetarianism Find out how to reinvent your favorite recipes Learn how to arrange for vegetarian foods at wedding, banquets, and other social events Best of all, Being Vegetarian For Dummies tackles head-on some of the most common questions that vegetarians often face when someone learns of their dietary lifestyle. Aren't you lacking a ton of vitamins and minerals? What exactly do you eat? Don't you get tired of salads? Isn't it dangerous to be vegetarian when you're pregnant? The list goes on--mainly because most people don't have a clear understanding of what being a vegetarian really entails. Being Vegetarian For Dummies offers you all you need to know to make smart, healthy choices, and also covers:Deciding whether to switch to vegetarianism overnight or gradually Finding vegetarian sources of protein Ensuring that you have a healthy vegetarian pregnancy Vegetarian diets for children and teens Understanding what's really in your food and other products Being Vegetarian For Dummies definitely promises that you won't be eating grilled cheese sandwiches for the rest of your life.

Savoring Tuscany: Recipes And Reflections On Tuscan Cooking


Lori De Mori - 2001
    Savoring Tuscanytakes readers on a journey in search of the authentic Tuscan table. Along the way, you'll experience Tuscan culture and history, and learn about some of the people, dishes, and ingredients that have made it one of the world's culinary capitals.