Herbal Kitchen: Cooking with Fragrance and Flavor
Author: Jerry Traunfeld
The secret to transforming easy dishes into extraordinary meals? Fresh herbs.In The Herbal Kitchen, IACP award-winning cookbook author and acclaimed Herbfarm Restaurant chef Jerry Traunfeld presents simple dishes using herbs straight from the market, windowsill, or garden.
Until recently, the fresh herbs available in supermarkets were limited to parsley and maybe dill. Today, thyme, rosemary, basil, cilantro, mint, and sage are among the many fresh herbs as close as the produce section or the farmer's market. Not to mention marjoram, lovage, tarragon, lavender, shiso, and so many others.
Jerry shows you how to incorporate these fresh herbs into your everyday home meals. So whether preparing a workday supper for the family, a special dinner for two or four, or a feast for a table of guests, using fresh herbs in your cooking will result in fresh and vibrant food.
The Herbal Kitchen includes some recipes that are home variations of the innovative dishes Jerry prepares at the Herbfarm, while others are fresh takes on familiar classics such as Herb Garden Lasagna or Shrimp in Garlic-Sage Butter. All are uncomplicated and prep time is minimal -- with the emphasis on spontaneity and the unmistakable flavors of fresh herbs.
Start off with Asparagus and Lemon Thyme Soup, Spicy Verbena Meatballs, or Rye-Thyme Cheese Straws before moving on to Cinnamon Basil Chicken, Side of Salmon Slow-Roasted in Dill, and Root Ribbons with Sage. Delectable desserts include Warm Lavender Almond Cakes, Rhubarb Mint Cobbler, and a sinful Chocolate Peppermint Tart.
Once you're hooked on cooking with fresh herbs, you'll want to grow them yourself. TheHerbal Kitchen is filled with important tips for growing, harvesting, and handling each of the herbs used in the recipes. Valuable information on the varieties of each herb is also highlighted, such as how to tell the difference between Greek oregano and Italian oregano, why you always want to choose bay laurel over California bay, and what type of lavender is best for cooking.
Filled with stunning photos of the herbs, the techniques for handling them, and the finished dishes, Jerry's definitive guide is sure to be a classic, reached for again and again.
Publishers Weekly
The James Beard Award-winning chef of the Herbfarm near Seattle, Traunfeld (The Herbfarm Cookbook) certainly knows a thing or two about cooking masterfully with fresh herbs. Whereas his first book celebrated restaurant-status dishes, this volume concerns simple dishes for the home cook. Traunfeld concisely introduces the basics of starting one's own herb garden; storing herbs; chopping, slicing and tearing herbs; and measuring herbs. Then he launches into the redolent recipes, many as straightforward as Prosciutto Melon with Lime and Cilantro; Dilled Celery, Asian Pear, and Hazelnut Salad; and Lemon Rosemary Chicken enhanced with dried currants and green olives. Recipes in the "Intimate Feasts" chapter, including Sea Scallops on Summer Succotash, and Lavender-Rubbed Duck Breast with Apricots and Sweet Onions, can stand as complete and creative meals, or be paired with a side from the vegetables chapter, such as Mashed Winter Squash with Bay Butter, or Salt-Roasted Potatoes. Herb-infused desserts like Strawberry Rose Geranium Ice Cream are lovely and not heavy. Throughout, Traunfeld offers insight into the use of specific herbs and ingredients, creating a work that is at once practical, informative and inspiring. Color photos. (Nov.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
In Traunfeld's new cookbook (he received an International Association of Culinary Professionals Award in 2000 for The Herbfarm Cookbook), 100 clearly written recipes are arranged by occasion or subject-intimate dinners, fast suppers, beverages and breads, even dog biscuits. The first chapter introduces the herb garden and techniques for picking, storing, and preparing herbs; the herbs themselves and their varieties are described and recommended before the first recipe in which they are used. Several recipes from Traunfeld's Herbfarm restaurant, where he has served as chef for 14 years, have been modified for the home kitchen using everyday ingredients, e.g., a tomato bread using fresh tomatoes, Italian bread, basil, and olive oil. Other dishes are unique-beef tenderloin poached in olive oil, garlic, and thyme. For libraries catering to herb gardeners and anyone who enjoys simple yet delicious meals. (Index not seen.)-Christine Bulson, SUNY at Oneonta Lib. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Tofu Cookery
Author: Louise Hagler
Written by soyfoods pioneer and gourmet cook Louise Hagler, Tofu Cookery is the most beautiful and useful tofu cookbook on the market and a best-seller for more than ten years.
Updated for the 90s with light, low-fat dishes, this book makes it easy to add a healthful portion of soy to your diet. Includes step-by-step instructions (along with photos) for making tofu in your own kitchen. Contains over 25 full page color photos.
"A tofu cookbook for the 90s".
Publishers Weekly
In this newly-revised edition of the 25-year-old classic, Hagler (Tofu Quick & Easy, Miso Cookery, Meatless Burgers) finds yet more options for this vegetarian staple. Offering over a hundred recipes for everything from straightforward dips (chive, dill, roasted red pepper and guacamole) to favorites like manicotti, enchiladas, chili, stir-fries and cheesecake, Hagler includes plenty of everyday dishes that cooks will return to again and again. Some dishes, such as the overly complicated Spring Rolls and the stunningly unattractive Layered Casserole, a multilayered earth-toned dish comprised of spinach, tofu with pimentos and mushrooms, are devoid of texture and may give some cooks pause, but the sheer number and variety of entries (a dozen puddings, 16 breads, 18 salad dressings) more than make up for the occasional missteps, and ensure that diners won't get bored.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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