5 comments about Taste of Eritrea: Recipes from One of East Africa's Most Interesting Little Countries (New Hippocrene Original Cookbooks).

1. Eritrea is one of Africa's most beautiful, interesting countries, and offers a unique cuisine drawn from a culinary tradition influenced by Italians, Turks, British, Egyptians, and Ethiopians. From Eritrean Papaya Juice, Dense Dinner Rolls, and Spiced Barley Squares, to Piquant Fish Stew, Roast Pigeon, and Custard with Caramelized Sugar, Taste Of Eritrea offers mover than 100 easy-to-follow recipes, each adapted for the Western kitchen. Taste Of Eritrea is further enhanced with an insightful and informative introduction, along with Olivia Warren's own reminiscences about her time in the country along with fascinating glimpses of the history, culture and traditions of Eritrea.



2. It seemed puzzling that Eritrean food consisted of Ethiopian Spices and Italian recipies. Is there nothing original in this cook book. If I wanted Italian Food or Ethiopian Food then I would buy those cook books. The book is an excellent introduction of Eritrea.



3. My title says it all. Of the 100 or so recipes in this book, most are of Italian vintage. The remainder are fairly humdrum versions of traditional Ethiopian dishes, better recipes for which are widely available (The Africa News Cookbook; Dorinda Hafner's Taste of Africa, etc.). Further, the author's Ethiopian ingredients are limited to berbere, onions, and tomato paste, guaranteeing that each new dish the reader prepares is going to taste a good deal like the last one.

   Either the author is herself an inexperienced cook, or she is writing down to those who are. For example, she gives extensive instructions for boning a chicken breast on the assertion that "you cannot buy this cut of chicken," contrary to the evidence available at any North American supermarket.

   Warren's affection for Eritrea is evident in her introduction and the anecdotes that accompany some of the recipes. But spending a little time in a country doesn't usually qualify a traveller to write a cookbook when she gets home.




4. Okay, I've lived in Eritrea, and I can assure y'all: what this book is presenting is NOT authentic Eritrean cuisine!!! The recipes are very simplified and a lot of spices and ingredients are missing. The cooking technique isn't properly described, either. And half the book is full of Italian recipes..... so, if you're really interested in Eritrean cooking, buy "Exotic Ethiopian Cooking" by Daniel Jote Mesfin instead. Eritrean and Ethiopian cooking is almost the same (Ethiopian is even more versatile).
   I give this book 1 star, because the author at least tried.... and the way she writes about the Eritrean culture in the introduction showes that she got a lot of love for the country.



5. The book was nice enough but was not a true representative of Eritrean cooking I bought the book because I admire how the author felt a love for my country.
   
   Bless you

5 comments about Memories of a Lost Egypt: A Memoir with Recipes.

1. If you are like me, you enjoy reading cookbooks that are more than just compilations of recipes but also include evocative text that recreates another time and place. "Memories of a Lost Egypt" is such a book. The author's vivid and touching reminiscences of her childhood often center on food and her relationships with her family's cooks, and she skillfully interweaves her narrative with recipes for the delicious dishes she savored and learned to prepare.

   Another Middle Eastern cookbook that I treasure is Sonia Uvezian's "Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen: A Culinary Journey through Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan." It too evokes a strong sense of time and place, and it is filled with outstanding recipes.




2. This book is not only charming but is beautifully written. I had tears in my eye as I read it. The recipes are mouth watering and I ran to buy some Egyptian ingredients to try the recipes. Colette Rossant gives an evocative picture of the life of a Jewish family during second world war.



3. This is a lovely little memoir with recipes. Colette Rossant is reminiscing about her childhood years growing up with her Jewish Egyptian grandparents in their mansion in Cairo during WWII. This poor little rich girl who was abandoned by her French mother, grew closer to the kitchen, and the cook Ahmed. Colette remembers many of the special recipes prepared by Ahmed and incorporates them into this nostalgic memoir of her childhood days. This is a lovely and sentimental memoir about the Egyptian belle epoque that also includes some savory Egyptian recipes with a gourmet twist.



4. I found this book at a landmark bookstore on Picadilly Street in London, England. It was titled APRICOTS ON THE NILE, A Memoir With Recipes. I just realized via a search on Amazon that the title is different here in the USA. I like the English title better. This book is a 'must get' for anyone who cooks. There will be some recipes that sound "ugh", but many are mouth watering. Personally, I liked the Tomato Salad(s), Roast Chicken on a Bed of Leeks, Meatballs with Apricot Sauce, Angel Hair Pasta with Nuts, Vegetable Salad, Traditional Hummus, Christmas Four-Meat Pate, Lentil Soup, and Roast Leg of Lamb. The book is more than just recipes, though. You will be taken on a cultural trip through Cairo, Egypt and Paris, France through the eyes of a little girl & a woman who has not lost sight of her ancestral heritage. It's a quick and enjoyable read where you'll be thrust into memories of a wonderful childhood...try it, you'll like it. Smiles :)



5. I received the book as a gift for the 2007 Christmas. Rossant was able to skillfuly blend imagery, scents, and sounds into a portrait that rivals any treasured piece of modern art. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but overexpose her glamor. But why not? It's a glamorous picture, after all.
   
   Perhaps it's my Egyptian background that led me to sense some "us versus them" sentiment in her writing as, for example, in the relative positions of French and Egyptian Nuns in the convent where she was boarded as a school-age child, or the marginal portrayal of "upper middle class" Egyptian families vacationing in Switzerland. Perhaps this is the reality of Europeans escaping WWII Europe, circumscribing to themselves as many of us do when living abroad. There is no denying her friendship and love for many Egyptians that crossed path with her. In the final analysis, it's a well-written account of times and places that we all wish we had witnessed.

1 comments about Fresh Moroccan: Over 70 Healthy Recipes (Fresh...).

1. This book was a request from my 28 yr old daughter. I sent it to her for Valentine's Day, and she told me she tried a recipe just tonight and it was FABULOUS! She said it was a rather labor-intensive recipe and that she will probably modify it to make it quicker. This is what she usually does...but she was thrilled with the photos AND the recipes. A+++ and fast shipping.

2 comments about The Church Ladies' Celestial Suppers and Sensible Advice.

1. As a lover of cookbooks and the owner of over 450+...this one will have a little note inside that will direct my children not to give, sell or trade this one (should I predecease them!). Growing up Black in the 50's and 60's brought back sweet memories of MY "Church Lady" Mother and what a wonderful natural home cook she was! Thank you Ms. Miller, this one is a Keeper.
   
   Ms.C



2. The book was requested by my wife who had used other books from the Church Ladies. The recipes are really good and fairly easy. Highly recommend.

4 comments about Real Men Cook: Rites, Rituals, and Recipes for Living.

1. This book is a culmination of recipes and stories from a unique annual family event "Real Men Cook", which focuses on the joys of fatherhood and cooking. This book is a wonderful addition to the library of anyone who finds joy in preparing meals for the ones they love.



2. Kofi and his wife, Yvette, are co-founders of Real Men Cook for Charity. They sponsor the Real Men Cookout, which is a Father's Day Charity event designed to celebrate black men as positive role models--everyday men, as well as celebrities. The charity started in Chicago and today, it is celebrated in over twelve cities. The cookbook is more than just recipes. There are stories/essays and poems to help celebrate the African American culture by and about many different people. The stories are just as good as the food. Enjoy!



3. A cook book, a history book a great gift! I love a man who cooks, and Real Men, do cook. My husband James cooks brunch each Sunday and my friend Terry Allen (p. 40) of Dallas, has found his place in cooking history with his heritages dishes preserved in the book. Real Men Cook highlights exceptional, amazing men cooking mouth watering dishes. Give your favorite guy a copy of this `real men' cookbook and you can support a great non-profit that celebrates ordinary American men being extraordinary in major cities; Dallas, Chicago, Los Angles, New Orleans, and all across the America.



4. This will help you try some meals that you love but can't find someone to make for you. Now you can stop calling your mama, sister, and bugging your wife to find out how to make great dishes. I know it is hard for us to read instructions but this is an easy read and fillingly rewarding.

5 comments about Moroccan Collection: Traditional Flavors from Northern Africa.

1. From fiery chillied fish to cooling, refreshing mint tea the Moroccan Collection by author Hilaire Walden is full of inspiration and atmosphere. The beautiful photos and book layout are evocotive of souk markets with their vibrant colours and aromas but at the same time give clear illustrations of what the food should look like when recreated at home.

   The recipes are well laid out with the majority accompanied by a photo. Ingredients are listed in bold type to one side of the page, the method is given in a clear numbered sequence, and best of all most recipes have a short explanation of the dish's history or some background to the ingredients. Ingredients used are those found easily in the west and explanations of traditional methods are given when they are no longer necessary to acheive the desired results today - for instance when using 'instant' couscous. Walden has also adapted the recipes, when necessary, to suit a western palate for example reducing the amount of oil used traditionally in some recipes. No Moroccan book worth its salt would be without lots of lamb and seafood (of many varieties) and chicken recipes, but there are also lots of grain and vegetable dishes and some luscious middle eastern sweets. Yummy!

   Sit back with this book and soak up the atmosphere - or - head straight for your (better equipped than the Moroccan home) kitchen and whip up a dinner of nutty couscous and rice salad accompanied by saffron chicken with apricots.




2. "The Morocco Collection" is authentic and accurate. The recipes are easy to follow and have ingredients most of us can find in the US. I really recommend "Moroccan Prawns with Spices". One of the couscous recipes works well with as does bread. The recipe for "Eggplants with Fruited Couscous" is also wonderful. If you're interested in Moroccan cuisine, you'll really appreciate this book.



3. The book itself is very well done. Nice pictures & well laid out. Not all of the recipes are to my liking. But others are quite tasty! Those are the ones that make this book purchase more that worthwhile...yum! yum!



4. I purchased this to help me use my new tagine. The photgraphy in this book makes you want to try the recipes. The recipes are flavorful. I don't eat meat, but there were plenty of seafood and vegetable recipes.



5. I am of Morrocan descent and was very much looking forward to learning how to cook authentic morrocan food. While the pictures are very pretty and ingrediants all look good none of the recipes I tried came out tasting quite right.

2 comments about One Child, One Seed: A South African Counting Book.

1. "One Child, One Seed: A South African Counting Book" is an excellent book for children age 4 - 8. It teaches counting, and tells the story of a South African child, her family, and their garden, and a seed that grows into a plant and yields a harvest of pumpkin that is made into . . . Isijingi. There are actually three texts in this book that can be read separately or together: the counting text; the story of the seed; and background about South African family life. The book is illustrated with a couple dozen color photographs, and also includes a map of Africa and South Africa. This book teaches more than counting, something just as valuable: a look at another people and their culture. Younger children will like the counting text, with its large font and big pictures, slightly older children will appreciate learning about South Africa, its people and food.



2. I was happy to buy this book to send to a school in Rwanda.

1 comments about Southern Soul Food: Mom's Favorite Family Recipes.

1. I marked so many pages in this cookbook for recipes I want to try(I am a mom of a large family and I cook from scratch several times a week)!This cookbook has good, filling, nutritious recipes that the family will love (and the kids will eat).At the same time, it also has recipes that "use up" odds and ends that I had around here that I was wondering what to do with.There are some diverse recipes, but they do not use hard-to-find ingredients. Most of these recipes use what I personally have on hand in my pantry, and they would use up some of the things that I need to use up.This is a good cookbook.The budget conscious family would especially like this, because these recipes will make your food dollar stretch further. (and they also taste good!) :)

No comments about Illustrated Food & Cooking of Africa and Middle East (Complete Illus Food & Cooking).

No comments about Morocco (SUFO).