|
|
![]()
|
|
Latin American Cooking Across the U.S.A. (Knopf Cooks American)
by Himilce Novas and Rosemary Silva
Available from Amazon
$29.95
|
Features
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Knopf; 1 edition October 21, 1997
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0679444084
ISBN-13: 978-0679444084
Product Dimensions:
9.6 x 7 x 1.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
Product Review
If you've an unquenchable hankering for Latin American fare--say Cuban Salsa de Perro (Dog Sauce), Colombian Cazuela de Mariscos (Seafood Stew), or the Haitian confection of Bananas with Rum Butter Cream--you'd be advised to turn to Latin American Cooking Across the U.S.A. by Himilce Novas and Rosemary Silva. The authors explain the history of each dish, its typical presentation in its land of origin, and how to go about preparing it in an American kitchen. It's a wonderful resource for a wide audience, whether you have Latin American roots and want to cook the meals you remember from grandma's house, have traveled in Latin America and want to recreate the dishes you loved on vacation, or merely have a taste for the cuisine of Latin America and want the option of cooking it up at home. The authors collected a fine array of recipes--200 in all--a thorough sampling of soups, appetizers, and salads; entrees with poultry, fish, or meat; various rice, bean, and vegetable concoctions; plus turnovers, breads, desserts, and drinks--all versions of traditional dishes culled from individuals living in the United States so as to translate easily into American home meals. Replete with family stories and culinary history, the recipes are intriguing to try, easy to make, and resonate with the various flavors of Latin America. --Stephanie Gold
From Library Journal
These two excellent new collections featuring contemporary Latin American cooking in the United States complement each other nicely. Tausend, coauthor with Susanna Palazuelos and others of Mexico the Beautiful (LJ 11/15/91), traveled throughout the country seeking the simple, traditional dishes that second- and third-generation Mexican Americans are cooking for everyday meals, recipes from their mothers and grandmothers. With Ravago, former chef/owner of Austin's Fonda San Miguel, she presents a broad selection of mouthwatering recipes, for both more familiar dishes such as Crispy Chicken Tacos and unusual ones like Pork and Purslane Stew. Tausend writes well, and headnotes include background on the various dishes as well as on the contributor. Highly recommended. Novas and Silva's more wide-ranging book draws on the diversity of Latin American cooking from 26 different nationalities in this country. Although the authors include homey, traditional dishes, they offer more sophisticated and elegant recipes from both home cooks and chefs, often in the cross-cultural nuevo style: New Southwestern Gnocchi di Patate, for example. The knowledgeable headnotes give culinary and cultural context for each recipe, often describing similar dishes from other Latin American countries, and more "exotic" ingredients are identified in glossary sections scattered throughout the book. Highly recommended. [There is also a Spanish-language edition, La Cocina Latinomericana en Los Estados Unidos, ISBN 0-679-44803-9.?Ed.]
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Reader Reviews
This is a great cookbook. If you have any interest in cookbooks that are worth reading, as well as using to cook from, just buy it already. You will learn a lot about Latin American family traditions, too. More than 10 years ago, while browsing cookbooks at the Strand bookstore in New York, I came across this book, and discovered Puerto Rican holiday recipes. "Why not try them this year?", I thought. So, I made Puerto Rican christmas that year, and ever since. A testament to how good/authentic these recipes are is that in that first year, the guests included my (Puerto Rican) mother-in-law and a family friend in from La Isla. The results we warmly greeted. "Eddie's Puerto Rican Roast Pork" is one of those recipes that is super easy, but will result in an indescribably good dish, and a beautiful centerpiece to your dinner. I have made many of the other dishes, too -- all to great acclaim. Favorites inclue the "Arroz con Gandules", "Panama Canal Seviche", "Shrimp Seviche", both Flan recipes, and, of course, "Coquito", the yummy Puerto Rican version of eggnog, with rum and coconut. The stories are as good as the recipes, so even if you don't cook, the book is a terrific read. But, be warned, it _will_ make you hungry.
|
|
|
