The Cookbook Junkies

 

Maille is world famous for their quality as well as their distinctive flavors of mustards, oils and vinegars. I use Maille products in my cooking and when I prepare a cheese tray for guests there is always a jar of Maille for my guests enjoyment.

Maille’s Spring Collection is the gourmet and chef lover’s dream: “This new collection combines the French culinary expertise of La Maison Maille with chef’s tricks in three unique new recipes. The intense flavor of vegetables and the refinement of herbs from the kitchen garden lend sweetness to the piquant Dijon mustard. This unique Spring Collection will be the perfect gift for food lovers with daring and delicious flavours.”

Maille was kind enough to send me the Spring Collection and I’ve been experimenting with these flavors. They are truly delicious and add a wonderful component to sauces, meats and more. I’ve even added the carrot with shallot flavor to my cheese sauce in macaroni and cheese and it added a wonderful tang.

GIVEAWAY: Maille is offering one of you a Collection les Jardins Secrets des Chefs set. To enter please leave a comment on this post telling me which flavor looks the best to you on the Maille website. This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only and will run until April 5th. For a second entry, please share this post – and leave a second comment telling me you did so. Good luck! Random Number Generator picked #10 Marc Schermerhorn! Congratulations Marc.

This opportunity arose for us after I did a review of the La Maison Maille cookbook here for TasteBook. They were kind enough to offer a selection of their products for me to sample and a giveaway of the Spring Collection to you!

 

My friend Marc shared this NPR piece on a new book that shares the stories and recipes of eight Dharavi cooks. I love a book that shares home recipes from other countries and also as a bonus delivers a wonderful story. The book is titled The Indecisive Chicken as one of the contributors did not cook chicken because her husband thought it was a “silly bird” and eating it would make one stupid. I knew I had to find out more and I did. The title grabbed my attention, the story grabbed my heart  and opened my eyes.

Dharavi, once Mumbai’s largest slum, was brought to the center of the world’s stage by the release of the 2008 movie, Slumdog Millionaire. Dharavi is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, diverse settlement with a population estimated to be one million.

This book was brought to life as a result of a culinary seminar offered by Prajna Desai, who is by trade an art historian. Desai did not want to impart her knowledge in this seminar, she wanted her attendees to be the teachers. Eight Dharavi women who attended each session are featured in this book. The Indecisive Chicken delivers a look into the everyday world of Indian working class families – what they cook and what they eat.

This bi-lingual book which is written both in English and Hindi is packed with photos of both the beautiful women behind the stories as well as photos of the dishes and preparation photos. These are recipes not found in Indian restaurants – these are recipes shared from the heart of Dharavi – the home kitchen.

Recipes for Phara (channa, urad, and rice flour dumplings – a photo of these delectable bites is shared in the NPR story above), Bakheer (sugarcane rice),  Besan Bhauri (stuffed puri) and Dhapate (healthy parathas) are examples of what you will find in this one-of-a-kind book.

The Indecisive Chicken is not only a wealth of information about Indian home cooking – it is much more. India does not seem so far away now and we are all more alike than different. Home cooks strive to bring delicious food to their families – a force to bring families together at the table. Oceans and miles do not separate us – we all share the love of food, family and have the need to share our stories.

This book is a must have  –  you will fall in love with the women in this book and their recipes as I have. The most important lesson I gleaned is to embrace the world’s differences and to learn as much as we can about each other – and food is the perfect conduit.

Buy The Indecisive Chicken – you will be happy you did. I was. Thank you to Prajna Desai for providing me with a small discount to review this book and share it with our readers.

The author, Prajna Desai, provided me the book at a discount to review it and share it with you.

 

 

 

Florentine by Emiko Davies grabs you from its first line: “In Florence, history has a way of weaving itself through every aspect of life, and food is no exception.” After the book has us in its warm embrace, the stories and photographs keep us there content to page through and experience the beauty of Florence.

When a cookbook’s first recipes are a Crostata di Marmellata (Apricot Jam Crostata), Pastry Cream and a Cornetti (Italian Brioche Croissants) and it’s pictures are simply gorgeous — I graciously surrender my heart and find room for it on my overpopulated shelves. Have no fear, Florentine is not just about the sweet side of life – every course is covered.

Emiko Davies’ tour of Florence begins with The Pastry Shop (pastries, doughnuts), continues with The Bakery (breads, pizza, cake), The Market (vegetables, salads, beans), The Trattoria (soups, crepes, sauces), The Butcher (meats, of course) and finishes with Out & About (crostini, sandwiches, gelato).

I love the details covered in this title – from photographs detailing “the butter block”, step-by-step process photos of the Sfogliatine (sweet puff pastries) to narrative as simple as describing a typical Florentine breakfast – it is a true joy to read.

The recipes of Florence are beautiful, yet simple. Pear & Ricotta Ravioloni, Florentine Fried Chicken, Polenta with Tuscan Kale and Fennel Frittata will entice us and draw us into the kitchen to dream of Italy while creating these dishes.

 

Random Number Generator picked #96 Valorie Wolf – an email has been sent.

GIVEAWAY:  I ordered this book and a week later a review copy was delivered – so I am going to pass on this good fortune to one of you. One U.S. reader will win a copy of the book from me. To enter: please leave a comment on this post telling me if you have ever traveled to Italy. For a second chance, please share this post. Be sure to leave two separate comments if taking advantage of both options. A random winner will be chosen on April 3rd, 2016. Good luck.

Thanks to Hardie Grant for the review copy of this title which allows me to share my ordered copy.