Monday, February 23, 2009

John Barleycorn or Lemongrass and Sweet Basil

John Barleycorn

Author: Jack London

It all came to me one election day. It was on a warm California afternoon and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

Upton Sinclair

Assuredly one of the most useful, as well as one of the most entertaining books ever penned by a man.



Books about: Understanding Management or Second Nature

Lemongrass and Sweet Basil: Traditional Thai Cuisine

Author: Khamtane Signavong

"Creating the tastes of Thailand is an irresistible challenge for cooks who love the pungent combinations and subtle balance of ingredients. True to Thai traditions, Lemongrass and Sweet Basil features recipes based on Royal Thai Cuisine, but the author has moved from the highly decorative and intricately carved presentation to a more easy-to-follow, modern approach." "Based on the traditional recipes of each Thai region, every cook has his or her own version of a dish including the addition of a secret ingredient or two. Kham shares with us over 50 of his recipes from Isan and Central, Southern and Northern Thailand. Also included is a chapter of Thai "tapas," Khap Klaem, with mouthwatering dishes such as Fresh Oysters with Spicy Thai Sauce and Drunken Noodles." The photographs accompanying the recipes give a strong sense of the Thai way of life. The beautiful location photography shows the seamless integration of food and the Thai Buddhist religion and the vibrant and informative food photographs reflect the Thai's liking for strong color and the importance of garnishes.



Sunday, February 22, 2009

Cupboard Love or Book of the Potato

Cupboard Love: A Dictionary of Culinary Curiosities

Author: Mark Morton


Nominated in 1997 for a Julia Child Award, Cupboard Love is back, bigger and better than ever. In this updated and expanded edition, Mark Morton lays out a sumptuous feast of more than a thousand culinary word-histories. From everyday foods to exotic dishes, from the herbs and spices of medieval England to the cooking implements of the modern kitchen, Cupboard Love explores the fascinating stories behind familiar and not-so-familiar gastronomic terms.

author of The Rituals of Dinner - Margaret Visser

An erudite and imaginative look at food-related words - useful on the shelf of anyone for whom food resonates.

author of Anguished English and The Superior Person's Book of Words. - Richard Lederer

Cupboard Love offers a banquet of food for thought. Mark Morton's delicious 'eat-ymologies' show that everyday we say a mouthful and truly eat our words.

Senior Editor at The Atlantic and author of The Pleasures of Slow Food - Corby Kummer

Cupboard Love is one of those books I turn to for automatic reference.

Current Reviews for Academic Libraries - Choice

Cupboard Love is thoroughly-researched, well-presented, fascinating, and a wonderful addition to reference collections, especially for libraries supporting interest in culinary arts or etymology.



New interesting textbook: The Allergy Exclusion Diet or Live Now Age Later

Book of the Potato

Author: Applewood Books

This 1910 work is comprehensive resource for the growing and cooking of potatoes.