Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Cheese Course or Portuguese Cooking

Cheese Course

Author: Janet Kessel Fletcher

Nothing complements a good meal with friends like a rustic oak table laden with an exquisite selection of fine cheeses: a grape leaf-lined platter of ricotta with honey, red pears, and roasted chestnuts, or a decorative Spanish tile topped with sheep's milk cheeses, toasted almonds, and oven-dried tomatoes, or a simple Italian salad of crostini dripping with melted fontina and white truffle oil. The elegant tradition of the after-dinner cheese course is rapidly gaining popularity as a part of home entertaining. Written by best-selling author and award-winning food writer Janet Fletcher, The Cheese Course decribes the wonderful array of artisanal cheeses now available, offering suggestions for presentations as well as wine pairings and fruit and nut accompaniments. The Cheese Course is rounded out with 50 sweet and savory recipes for salads, breads, and desserts that match deliciously with cheese.



New interesting textbook:

Portuguese Cooking: The Traditional Cuisine of Portugal

Author: Carol Robertson

One of Europe’s oldest countries, Portugal is blessed with a flavorful, complex food tradition that brings together influences from Europe, Africa, and the Muslim world. It is also one of the world’s most scenic destinations, luring travelers with its pristine beaches and charming villages. Carol and David Robertson have traveled extensively in Portugal, and that depth of experience resonates throughout this happy blend of travel guide and cookbook. Carol’s lively journal entries and witty drawings, accompanied by David’s evocative photographs, showcase the wonders of the Portuguese landscape, culture, and cuisine. The first half of the book describes each region and its people. The second half is a stylish cookbook containing simple, delicious dishes based on pork and seafood of all kinds, as well as tomatoes, olives, kale, hot and sweet peppers, garlic, mint, and olive oil. Highlights include Chicken Braised in Red Wine, Bacalhau (Codfish) Fritters, Tomato Acorda, and Pudim Flan, as well as regional favorites unknown to the American palate. The result is a personal travel book for “foodies” looking for more adventurous fare. Portuguese Cooking also includes a primer on ports, Madeiras, and other wines from the country’s notable wine tradition.



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