Citrus by Valerie Aikman-Smith and Victoria Pearson is a gorgeous little book with “sweet and savory sun-kissed recipes”. With recipes like Farmhouse Ricotta with Persian Lime Oil, Homemade Lemon Pappardelle, Burnt Sugar Meyer Lemon Tart, and Orange Blossom Macarons it has become one of my favorites to turn to for citrus inspiration. The photos are gorgeous and the recipes are tempting.
Being a citrus lover, this book was a must have for me. All citrus flavors are covered – grapefruit, kumquats, lemon, lime, orange, tangerine and more. Kumquat Butter, Tangerine Sticky Ribs (to die for), and Clementine Curd — I want it all now.
The New Sugar & Spice by Samantha Seneviratne truly is the recipe for bolder baking. I am a fan of baking books that include savory recipes and unique and exotic combinations and this cookbook delivers on both.
Ricotta Cheesecake with Bourbon-Raisin Jam, Banana Fritters, Pistachio and Chocolate Butter Cake (cover recipe) and Buttery Shortbread with Coffee and Cardamom are a few of the recipes I’m tempted by.
I love how the book is organized by flavors Peppercorn & Chile, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove & Cardamom, Vanilla, Ginger and Savory Herbs & Spices — all my favorites! Black Pepper, Dark Chocolate, and Sour Cherry Bread – I mean really what is not to love?
Random Number Generator picked #63 – congratulations Rona!
Thanks to Ten Speed Press I have a copy of each of these books for one lucky reader. Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite exotic spice is or your favorite citrus flavor. The giveaway is open to US addresses only and a random winner will be chosen on September 30th. Good luck!
Special thanks to Ten Speed for the review copies of these books.
I adore cardamom! It’s such an exotic and warm spice that works well in both savory and sweet dishes. My favorite application is in meringue cookies, but I also regularly add a dash to my oatmeal and to my banana muffins. As a bonus, I <3 lemon; it's my favorite citrus. Again, it goes back to versatility – from fancying up my plain old water to livening up steamed carrots to giving a bit of zip to the butter for fresh muffins, lemons can't be replaced. I use lemons in making simple sauces and dressings almost every day. I can't imagine doing without either of these in my kitchen. I'd love to win these books too, so…fingers crossed!
Both books look great . I am an avid citrus and sweet lover. Would love to win these books and expand my repertoire.
My husband is a black pepper junkie…this would make a great Christmas gift for him!!
You had me at “citrus” 🙂 Love anything citrus flavored.
Both of these books look great! So hard to choose just one, because I think I love them all. I think I have to go with cardamom at the moment though, loving the flavor.
Both books look so good!
I love all citrus except grapefruit, but my favorite is tangerine.
I love all the different types of curry.
both books look fantastic!
Great reviews! Would love to win !
Sumac is my favorite exotic spice.
I love all the curries for spices, and my favorite citrus is orange!
I love all citrus flavors, but lemon might be the best.
Cardamom and blood oranges…hmmm, I wonder if there’s a way to combine them.
My mother’s ambrosia with navel oranges, banana and coconut and sweet spices was a New Year’s Day tradition .
I have recently become a big fan of sumac.
I love citrus with savory spices.
My favorite citrus flavor is key lime.
I love grapefruits and tangerines.
I am absolutely in love with all things LIME!!
Would love to add these cookbooks to my collection. I currently do not have any cookbooks like these two!
My fave citrus flavor…orange. So versatile!
Citrus sounds intriguing. Love the flavors they impart in different dishes as well as desserts. Yum!
I would love the Citrus book or even Sugar and Spice. I think there are some awesome recipes in there that I would love to check out!
Wow these both sound great!!!! I LOVE anything citrus & cheesecake with bourbon raisin jam?!?!?!? I’m in trouble……
cardamom makes me warm and fuzzy, and any kind of citrus makes me happy! I have spent a good hour thinking about which citrus flavor I love the most and I think kaffir lime edges others out.
can I say Cinnamon? I know it’s more average in the spice selection we have but so many recipes I use or make call for it. They wouldn’t be any good w/o it
I love using cardamom in both sweet and savory dishes. My favorite citrus is a Meyer lemon.
Lemon, lemon, lemon – did I say lemon?
I am very partial to orange. Thank you!
Lemon & cardamom. I love all citrus though!
Looks like a wonderful book. I like the organization by spice.
Favorite citrus is LEMON in all its forms. Favorite spice is cardamom – hands down!
My fav exotic spice is rosewater.
I adore all things lemon….it’s such a versatile flavor!
I really love anything citrus flavored especially lemon
I love tangerines and nutmeg!
I love cardamom!
I like star anise.
I’m a lemon or tangerine gal. What a sumptuous looking book!
My favorite citrus is Meyer Lemons. They are so fragrant, I love baking with them!
Grapefruit anything and everything, especially grapefruit vodka. :0)
love cardamom in the pods!
Cardamom fan here!
its a toss-up btwn grapefruit and blood orange. The best part of winter!
i love all citrus fruits ! I’d love to have these books and try new things
I absolutely love Meyer lemons, and luckily for me my mother-in-law has a very prolific tree!
Lemon is my favorite. It is so versatile in both sweet and savory dishes.
One of my favorite spices is lemon pepper and cinnamon combined, I experimented on my first chicken and halibut dish and it tasted amazing! Now I put it on almost everything. My favorite citrus flavor would probably have to be lemon-lime and tangerine, I actually juice them about a week in advance and mix all three together then use it as my steak marinade. It makes it sooo juicy and it leaves and spiced yet fruity taste.
Love any spice. My favorite for baking is cinnamon. Many different & more exotic types of cinnamon out there.
I love lemon for its versatility in brightening almost any dish. I start each day with a glass of room temperature water with the juice of one lemon and a sprinkle of cayenne. It’s an invigorating way to start the day.
My new favorite “spice” is tamarind. Although I guess it’s not technically a spice, it is used as one in many dishes. I’ve always loved it in Asian dishes, but have recently discovered its use in middle eastern dishes as well.
My absolute favorite citrus is lemon – the tarter the better!
Saffron is my favorite exotic spice I use it in my paellas. My favorite citrus is the meyers lemon.
Saffron or Aleppo are probably my most exotic spice. My favorite citrus right now is oranges. I use to be a huge lemon fan, but last year I enjoyed cooking with oranges, including blood oranges.
I love citrus…especially lime.
love it all!
I love combava and kumquat I use both in my rubs for meat specialy duck breast pork loin and lamb shoulder before hot smoking on stove top
My favorite spice is my pepper mix wich can be so’s Aromatic
I do have a U S adress
I love Saigon Cinnamon!
I love lemon…especially in pasta.
I LOVE lemon anything! The more, the better!
I had a citrus, cardamom and pear smoothie for breakfast! Yum!
Cardamom n KAF fiori di sicilia
I don’t know a lot about exotic spices, but my world changed when I got myself a nutmeg grinder. I thought it would be a luxury item, but I use it so often it has a permanent place next to my stove. As for citrus, I love the flavor of oranges.
I love flavors period, my new that gets used more often cilantro
I love cardamon and fav citrus would be meyer lemon.
Thank you so much!!! Can’t wait to bake from the lovely books.