As a sequel to her earlier award-winning, best selling title on herbs, Jean Andrews has written "The Peppers Cookbook-200 Recipes from the Pepper Lady's Kitchen." This was released by the University of North Texas Press as the second volume in their Great American Cooking Series. As these recipes for sweet and spicy peppers show, peppers are suitable for every part of the meal, including delightful desserts like sorbet, chocolate fudge, and melon compote.
These carefully chosen recipes accentuate the specific flavor that each particular variety of pepper has to offer. Andrew's interest in foodways is obvious for at the beginning of each chapter she presents an engrossing historical account for that particular kind of dish. For example, the history of sugar cane and chocolate appears in the chapter on desserts. In the introduction, Andrews delves into the origins and history of peppers, their nutrient content, and what makes them hot. A handy chart gives the hotness scale of each hot pepper variety. The author also provides complete descriptions and drawings of each variety along with details on selecting, preserving, and preparing them for use.
When guests show up unexpectedly or you have no time for last-minute grocery shopping, what are you supposed to do? Deborah Taylor-Hough comes to the rescue in "Mix and Match Recipes-Creative Ideas for Busy Kitchens" from Champion Press. Using these quick and easy recipes, you can use whatever you happen to have on hand. For example, take a simple package of refrigerator biscuits along with you choice of cooked meats and vegetables, and create an innovative muffin-like entrée. She works wonders with ordinary stuff, such as meatballs and cake mix, and provides recipes for cookies, fruit crisps, and other quick desserts. There are chapters for every sort of dish from casseroles and skillet dinners to pocket meals, soups, and smoothies. When the children get bored, the author has fun recipes for them, such as craft dough, clay ornaments, and edible finger-paint.
For those holiday occasions when you're entertaining special guests, you don't have to spend all afternoon in the kitchen. "The Culinary Institute of America's Gourmet Meals in Minutes" from Lebhar-Friedman Books makes that possible. What is important is attention to detail and a properly stocked pantry. The 200+ dishes featured in this color-illustrated book were developed in the institute's kitchen, and are bursting with flavor and nutrition.
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