Herbs and Spices or Man a Can a Microwave

Herbs and Spices: The Cook's Reference

Author: Jill Norman

The first illustrated guide to cover the whole spectrum of herbs and spices for culinary use. Herbs & Spices is an indispensable reference that shows how to prepare fresh and dried herbs, how to use herbs and spices in cooking, and details everything that other books on the subject leave out. Containing a unique collection of recipes, from herb and spice mixes to rubs, pastes, salsas, and marinades, these authentic formulas will encourage cooks to think creatively and experiment on their own. Grouped by aroma and taste, with step-by-step preparation techniques and beautiful full-color photography, this book describes 60 herbs and the benefits of using them fresh or dried, and focuses on 60 spices from around the world, with a look at the early spice trade and how cross-cultural fusion has impacted on contemporary cooking.

Library Journal

Food writer Norman (The Complete Book of Spices; Classic Herb Cookbook) certainly knows her herbs and spices. Opening with a brief introduction in which she explains that she uses the European definition of these ingredients rather than the American definition, in which dried herbs can be classified as spices, Norman gives each its own separate section, subdividing them by dominant aroma and flavor (e.g., citrus and tart, nutty, sweet). Ranging from one to four pages each, the entries for 60 different herbs and 60 different spices include an overview, tasting notes, the parts of the herb or spice used in cooking, buying and storage information, culinary uses, and some details on cultivation. Separate chapters on preparation, recipes for blending herbs and spices (as in sauces and pastes), recipes that draw on cuisines around the world, and purchasing sources are also included. The text is illustrated with gorgeous photography throughout. While basic information about many herbs and spices can be found in standard culinary references such as Larousse Gastronomique and The Oxford Companion to Food, Norman's volume excels at giving the practical details and clear illustrations cooks need when it comes to using these ingredients in the kitchen. Perfect for public libraries; buy copies for both reference and circulating collections.-John Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

New interesting book: Entertaining Simple or Philadelphia Cream Cheese Collection

Man, a Can, a Microwave: 50 Tasty Meals You Can Nuke in No Time

Author: David Joachim

First came A Man, a Can, a Plan: 50 Great Guy Meals Even You Can Make. The Sunday Star-Ledger cheered it as a "foolproof, not to mention spill-proof guide to manly success in the kitchen." And the Detroit News exclaimed, "Dude, this cookbook is for you."Next came A Man, a Can, a Grill: 50 No-Sweat Meals You Can Fire Up Fast. Cookbook author Andrew Schloss, who wrote Cooking with Three Ingredients and Dinner's Ready, called the recipes "easy, flavorful...streamlined and smart. Real food-so good that no one will ever guess your secret is in the can."Now there's A Man, a Can, a Microwave-and all those "dudes" who helped put the "Grill" book on the New York Times how-to bestseller list will be pleased to know that David Joachim and the editors of Men's Health haven't lost a beat. The 50 guy-friendly, nuke-able meals using packaged ingredients are fun to make and great to eat-and include such tasty dishes as "Italian One-Dish Fish," "Teriyaki Beef with Broccoli," and "Painless Paella." With step-by-step recipes and full-color photos, A Man, a Can, a Microwave, like the previous books in the series, is a perfect gift for anyone learning to cope in the kitchen. Make sure he has a can opener-and a hearty appetite!