January 2024 MBR The Cookbook Shelf

The Cookbook Shelf

The Food Allergy Baking Book
Kelly Woyan
Agate Surrey
c/o Agate Publishing
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572843158, $24.95, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Food-Allergy-Baking-Book-Nut-Free/dp/1572843152

Synopsis: A one-stop guide to delicious, everyday baked goods free of dairy, eggs, and nuts (the most common food allergens), "The Food Allergy Baking Book" offers more than 90 timeless, foolproof recipes that are easy to prepare, even for the most novice of family kitchen bakers. It is an invaluable DIY culinary resource for home bakers (and their families) who love sweets and treats -- but have food allergies that must be accommodated.

These recipes are more than delicious enough to be enjoyed by everyone who craves great baked treats, whether they have food allergies or not, but they fill a particular need for families who find baking at home to be the smartest and safest option to avoid exposure to allergens. All the traditional baking favorites are included, with chapters devoted to the best and tastiest muffins and quick breads, cookies and bars, and all manner of cakes, pies, crisps, and cobblers. The book also provides practical advice about dealing with classroom and birthday parties, as well as easy ingredient substitution ideas.

Critique: Simply stated, "The Food Allergy Baking Book: Great Dairy-, Egg-, and Nut-Free Treats for the Whole Family" by Kelly Woyan is an indispensable 'how to' guide for food-allergy conscious bakers everywhere. Profusely illustrated throughout with full color images of finished deserts, "The Food Allergy Baking Book" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections. Of special value to anyone with a food allergy or who is interested in gluten free diets, or vegan desserts, it should be noted that "The Good Allergy Baking Book" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.62).

From Biscuits to Lane Cake
Evan A. Kutzler
Mercer University Press
www.mupress.org
9780881469028, $22.00, PB, 145pp

https://www.amazon.com/Biscuits-Lane-Cake-Rylander-American/dp/0881469025

Synopsis: When the Lane cake, named after Emma Rylander Lane (1856-1904), appeared in Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" (1960), the boozy Southern dessert was at peak popularity. Yet the culinary artist behind the cake had fallen into obscurity. "From Biscuits to Lane Cake: Emma Rylander Lane's Some Good Things to Eat" recovers Lane's biography and reveals the Georgia back story of Alabama's official state dessert, as well as the recipes she published in "Some Good Things To Eat" (1898).

Born in Americus, Georgia, and left fatherless in the American Civil War, Lane spent most of her life living, studying, and managing a household in Southwest Georgia. While in Clayton, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia, she drew on the diverse culinary heritage of the South as she won cooking demonstration competitions, published a cookbook, and taught cooking classes. Lane's recipes, from biscuits, wafers, and loaf cakes to salads, cordials, and holiday favorites, show that her expertise went far beyond the bourbon-infused dessert that bears her married name.

Critique: An inherently fascinating, and extraordinary gem of historical culinary American history, "From Biscuits to Lane Cake: Emma Rylander Lane's Some Good Things to Eat" is an especially and unreservedly recommended and unique addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library cookbook collections.

Editorial Note: Evan A. Kutzler (https://evankutzler.com) is an Associate Professor of U.S. and Public History at Western Michigan University. He is also the author or editor of many books, including Ossabaw Island, A Sense of Place, and Prison Pens.

Flavor
Sabrina Ghayour
Aster
c/o Octopus Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781783255955, $34.99, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Flavor-Bestselling-author-Persiana-Everyday/dp/1783255951

Synopsis: "Flavor" is culinary expert Sabrina Ghayour's new collection of more than 100 simple, delicious, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing recipes with a very special Middle-Eastern twist.

Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full page, full color photos of finished dishes reader to serve, the recipes range from Zaatar onion, tomato & Eggplant tartines with labneh; Chicken shawarma salad; Herb koftas with warm yoghurt, mint & pul biber; and Ras el Hanout and orange lamb cutlet platter; to Mama ghanoush; Pan-fried salmon with barbary butter
Nut butter noodles; Lime, coconut & cardamom loaf cake; Tea, cranberry, orange & macadamia shortbreads -- and so much more!

Critique: An impressive and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly" compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes for memorable dishes to enhance any and all dining experiences, "Flavorful" is certain to be a prized pick for personal, professional, family, and community library Middle Eastern and Ethnic Cuisine cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Flavorful" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).

Editorial Note: Sabrina Ghayour (www.SabrinaGhayour.com) is an Iranian-born, self-taught home cook turned chef, cookery teacher and food writer. She made her name hosting the hugely popular 'Sabrina's Kitchen' supper club in London, specializing in Persian and Middle Eastern flavors, and went on to be named the Observer's Rising Star in Food. Her award-winning debut, Persiana, is a worldwide bestseller, and her follow-ups Sirocco, Feasts, Bazaar, Simply and Persiana Everyday were Sunday Times bestsellers.

We Cook Filipino
Jacqueline Chio-Lauri
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804854665, $24.99, HC, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cook-Filipino-Heart-Healthy-Personalities-Award-Winning/dp/0804854661

Synopsis: A beautifully and profusely illustrated compendium of food and people, the 51 delicious recipes comprising "We Cook Filipino: Heart-Healthy Recipes and Inspiring Stories from 36 Filipino Food Personalities and Award-Winning Chefs" are not just "from the heart" -- they are also "good for the heart" with specifically included information about their health benefits. The result is a cookbook presenting food as something central to Filipino culture and emotional well-being as well as being nutritious and amazingly tasty!

Critique: Along with insightful stories and 51 different recipes, interested readers will learn many Filipino tips and techniques to infuse an impressive array of ethnic flavors into truly memorable and authentic cultural dishes. Fascinating to browse through and inspiring to plan menus with, "We Cook Filipino: Heart-Healthy Recipes and Inspiring Stories from 36 Filipino Food Personalities and Award-Winning Chefs" is a prized and recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections. It should be noted that "We Cook Filipino" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.37).

Editorial Note: Jacqueline Chio-Lauri (@myfoodbeginnings) is the editor and lead author of this compilation of stories and recipes, as well as the highly acclaimed The New Filipino Kitchen. Her upcoming picture books are based on the lives of Filipino food icons Maria Orosa and Ma Mon Luk.

Instant Pot Indian
Anupy Singla
Agate Surrey
c/o Agate Publishing
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572843172, $21.95, PB, 184pp

https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Instant-Pot-Cookbook-Authentic/dp/1572843179

Synopsis: Taking full advantage of the ease and convenience of the Instant Pot, with the publication of "Instant Pot Indian: 70 Full-Flavor, Authentic Recipes for Any Sized Instant Pot", cookbook author Anupy Singla presents 70 Indian favorites you can make in minutes.

Singla experimented with every size of Instant Pot to ensure that home cooks would get the full, delicious flavor in every recipe, every time. These no-guesswork recipes are simpler than their traditional counterparts and healthier than restaurant favorites, as they don't require extra oil and fat.

The "Indian Spices 101" chapter introduces readers to the mainstay spices of an Indian kitchen, as well as how to store, prepare, and combine them in different ways. Among these 70 recipes are all the classics (specialties like dal, palak paneer, and aloo gobi), as well as dishes like butter chicken, keema, and much more.

Singla's clear, detailed instructions walk even the most novice of family cooks through the process of using an electric pressure cooker. The result is a successful and enticing introduction to healthful, flavorful Indian food made using the simplicity and convenience of the Instant Pot.

Critique: Illustrated throughout with full color, full page photos of finished dishes, the large format (9 x 0.5 x 8 inches, 1.25 pounds) paperback edition of Anupy Singla's "Instant Pot Indian: 70 Full-Flavor, Authentic Recipes for Any Sized Instant Pot" from Agate Surrey will prove a welcome source for planning memorable menus featuring palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes suitable for both formal and informal dining occasions. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99), "Instant Pot Indian" is a unique and highly recommended pick for personal, professional, family, and community library Ethnic cookbook collections.

Editorial Note: Anupy Singla (https://www.indianasapplepie.com) is the author of the The Indian Slow Cooker (Agate Surrey, 2010), Vegan Indian Cooking (Agate Surrey, 2012), and Indian for Everyone (Agate Surrey, 2014), all of which have been among the top-selling Indian cookbooks since their release. She is the founder and CEO of Indian As Apple Pie, a company that creates and sells custom spice blends as well as unique home goods. Singla also blogs at Indian As Apple Pie, and her writing has been featured in many print and online outlets. Her books have been praised in Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Entrepreneur magazine.

Coffee Art Masterclass
Dhan Tamang
Cassell
c/o Octopus Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781788404648, $14.99, HC, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Art-Masterclass-incredible-designs/dp/1788404645

Synopsis: A beginners guide to taking your coffee designs to the next level, with the publication of "Coffee Art Masterclass: 50 Incredible Coffee Designs for the Home Barista" will enable true coffee lovers to take their DIY designer coffee to the next level with author and coffee expert Dhan Tamang's simple to follow and incredible designs.

With "Coffee Art Masterclass" you can Impress your partner, your friends and your family by making them a cup with a design for every pastime and hobby. You will learn how to recreate famous paintings, paint mythical creatures and sculpt stunning artworks all on the surface of your morning coffee.

There's no special equipment needed, and Dhan explains the basics, so that you can craft incredible designs from the outset. There are even templates for quick results and tips for ensuring your art stays in place for as long as possible.

"Coffee Art Masterclass" includes next-level latte designs that everyone and anyone can achieve.

Critique: A compendium of profusely and effectively illustrated DIY step-by-step directions, "Coffee Art Masterclass: 50 Incredible Coffee Designs for the Home Barista" is a very special and unique addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Coffee & Tea collections. This simple fabulous and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional 'how-to" guide to the art of coffee decoration and presentation is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).

Editorial Note: Dhan Tamang is the UK Latte Art Champion for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as a finalist at the 2016 World Latte Art Championship. He is renowned in the coffee art world for his use of color and the precision of his designs. Originally from Nepal, Dhan has been demonstrating his techniques the world over and training would-be baristas from his coffee lab in the UK. (https://notabarista.org/dhan-tamang-coffee-story)

Wok for Less
Ching-He Huang
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781804191590, $29.99, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Wok-Less-Budget-Friendly-Asian-Minutes/dp/1804191590

Synopsis: A wok is a deep round-bottomed cooking pan of Chinese origin. It is common in Greater China, and similar pans are found in parts of East, South and Southeast Asia, as well as being popular in other parts of the world, including the United States. That's because the traditional wok is an incredibly quick, heat-efficient cooking method -- and a lot less expensive (and bulky) than an air fryer.

Chinese and Asian cuisines have also always featured recipes that use cheaper ingredients. With the publication of "Wok for Less: Budget-Friendly Asian Meals in 30 Minutes or Less", Chinese culinary authority and author Ching-He Huang focuses on traditional, clever ways to reduce costs without scrimping on taste.

From creative ways to make fish, seafood and meat go further, to inventive veg-packed dishes that will satisfy the most committed carnivore, and ideas for using storecupboard ingredients to make multiple meals, the DIY recipes are not only delicious but will save on both time and money.

Critique: Presenting dishes that range from Smoked Tofu x Veggie Stir-Fry x Cashew Nuts; Prawn x Edamame Fried Rice; Honey Soy Chicken x Mangetout x Walnuts; and Soy Egg & Broccoli Scramble; to Chinese-Style Oyster Sauce Beef Egg Omelette; Soy Braised Sweet Potato & Chickpea Ramen; Bang Bang Chicken Peanut Noodles, "Wok For Less: Budget-Friendly Asian Meals in 30 Minutes or Less" features full color, full page photos of finished dishes. Simply stated, "Wok for Less: Budget-Friendly Asian Meals in 30 Minutes or Less" is an extraordinary and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of wok created, palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, and memorable dishes for any formal or informal dining experience.

Editorial Note: Ching-He Huang (https://www.chinghehuang.com) was born in Taipei, Taiwan. An Emmy-nominated TV chef, her culinary ethos is to use fresh, organic, ethically sourced ingredients to create modern dishes that fuse Chinese tradition with innovation. Her TV series include Chinese Food Made Easy, Chinese Food in Minutes, Exploring China and Ching's Amazing Asia. She is the author of ten cookbooks including Stir Crazy, Eat Clean: Wok Yourself to Health, Exploring China, Ching's Fast Food, Everyday Easy Chinese, Everyday Easy Asian, Ching's Chinese Food in Minutes, Chinese Food Made Easy and China Modern. She appears regularly on TV in both the UK and US, including on BBC Saturday Kitchen and ITV's Lorraine.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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