Review of Exotic Tastes of Sri Lanka (Hardcover)

This book is a must have cookbook for those craving for traditional Sri Lankan food. For someone like myself who was intimidated by traditional cooking, this book has made it simple. It has numerous Sinhala and Tamil recipes that are well described in step-by-step process. This book contains sample menus (wonderful idea), explanations on spices, utensils and measurements, which are of great help for a novice.

Traditional thosai, pittu, idly, yellow rice, dhal curry (parippu), cabbage mallum, kale mallum, crunchy carrot salad, spicy chicken curry and vara (fish), are all included in my meal rotation (delicious recipes). There are many more recipes to try out...and I am getting there!!!!. :)

Read the recipe till the end before beginning to cook. There are hints and alternatives that may save you time.

A must have book.

Product Description
The breathtaking island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, separated from southeastern India by a mere 30-mile chain of shoals. This proximity to India has had an inevitable effect on Sri Lanka's cuisine, as did the successive Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupations. However, over the centuries the majority of these dishes have been modified to suit the local palate. Exotic Tastes of Sri Lanka highlights the gamut of flavors of this cuisine, which runs from hot and spicy to comforting and mild.

The chapters of Exotic Tastes of Sri Lanka are devoted to short eats (appetizers), salads, staples, vegetarian dishes, poultry, meat and egg recipes, seafood preparations, desserts, and sweetmeats (treats). An array of exotic ingredients that is key and integral to Sri Lankan cuisine enhances the dishes. For instance, gambooge, with its uniquely sour flavor, is often used in traditional seafood preparations like Fish Ambul Thiyal, while either grated coconut or coconut milk intensify most recipes, including Pumpkin Kalu Pol Curry. Local staples are delectable works of art, such as exquisite Stringhoppers, Hoppers, and Pittu.

Since the entrées revolve around the nation's favorite ingredient, rice, the loosely coined term "rice and curry" best describes Sri Lankan cuisine. Other staple ingredients include coconut (milk, oil, grated), as well as aromatic herbs and spices such as curry leaves, mint, coriander and fennel seeds, and cloves. Sri Lanka offers a particularly impressive repertoire of vegetarian and seafood preparations.

Sample menus, explanations of spice uses and availability, typical cooking techniques, and descriptions of traditional utensils complement the 157 recipes, all adapted for home cooks.

About the Author
Suharshini Seneviratne was born in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, and came to the United States to attend the University of Maryland, College Park. She then moved to the Netherlands with her husband, and frequently cooked traditional Sri Lankan fare for her friends, which prompted her to write this book. She resides in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and child.

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Review of The Wine Maker's Answer Book (Answer Book (Storey)) (Paperback)

Alison Crowe dedicates this book to her two grandmothers and all those who "taught her that a woman's place is doing whatever she sets her mind to".This reviewer found that sentiment to be typically Californian, conjuring up many images of what one might call the golden state's "social terroir".Regional mentalities notwithstanding, WAB is just a great book about wine, and packed full of useful information that will appeal to anyone interested in making great wine.Particularly appealing is the format and page layout which begs to be picked up, flipped through, and read anywhere and at anytime.A durable cover is also appreciated, as is the size of the book and the font's ease on the eyes.

In the first part of the book one finds a simple, straightforward timeline of winemaking (for both red and white wines) that serves as an excellent "skeleton" of knowledge that, when assimilated, makes absorbing further information in the book easier- brilliant!Why aren't more books like this?She goes on to answer hundreds of questions from there!

Alison's talent as a writer comes through in clear and concise language, giving explanations that even a layman can understand with a little study.She does not overwhelm the reader with needless inundations of chemical jargon, but writes masterfully about the chemistry in simple terms.

All in all, a fantastic book!





Product Description
Home winemaking is an appealing hobby for a new generation of wine lovers lured by the promise of a great payoff - small batches of handmade wine. It's the perfect opportunity to experiment with flavors, have fun playing with chemistry, and share a few tasty bottles with friends and family. But safely fermenting, bottling, and aging wine is a demanding process requiring special equipment, impeccable sanitation, an understanding of chemical reactions, and the patience to see the aging process through to the end. No matter how experienced the home winemaker, unforeseen questions develop with every batch of new wine.

When a winemaker has problems with leaky corks or finds an oily film on top of his fermenting wine, what's the simplest, quickest way to get an answer? The Wine Maker's Answer Book is a 24/7 helpline with advice on hundreds of winemaking dilemmas. From the basic curiosity of the novice (What equipment will I need to get started?) to the finer points of fermentation (What is the impact of malolactic fermentation on acidity?), every step of the process is covered in detail.

Author Alison Crowe uses a friendly question-and-answer format to explain the mysteries of turning grape juice into wine, whether the reader is beginning with fresh grapes or a home winemaking kit. To the straightforward requests for information, she offers detailed descriptions of procedures and equipment. For stickier real-life problems, she first carefully assesses the possible causes and then gives expert advice on fixing the trouble.

Covering the entire range of situations a winemaker is likely to face, this handy, at-a-glance reference will make every batch of wine taste better.



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Review of Party Confidential: New Etiquette for Fabulous Entertaining (Hardcover)

I bought this book after reading all the glowing reviews - I was looking for some truly creative and inspiring new ideas for parties however I am completely unimpressed with this book.Granted the photograph's are lovely and show the celebrities enjoying themselves but there is no depth to the theme suggestions, menus, decorations etc. I returned the book because I do not need another copy of same old, same old.

Product Description
Planning a party can be fun, but doing it right requires organization and creativity.Social graces have gone through a major transformation since the days of Emily Post, so it's time for a book that brings you up to date on modern decorum.Along with advice from celebrities and experts in the field,Party Confidential: New Etiquette for Fabulous Entertaining answers the questions people want--and need--to know about everything related to a party, from planning to attending. It addresses topics that are not covered in traditional etiquette books and takes a new approach to covering the basics. You'll learn all the essentials, like how to:* Invite someone last-minute* Handle unexpected guests* Accomodate dietary requests like vegan or kosher* Leave a party early* Ask if you can bring a guest* Respond to an RSVP--and when* And much, much more.This is the only book you need to be a consummate host, as well as a perfect guest, at every party.

About the Author
Elizabeth Harrison and Lara Shriftman are the principals at the public relations, special events and marketingfirm Harrison & Shriftman, with offices in New York,Los Angeles and Miami.The special events division of their company has produced many highly publicized events, including hotel, restaurant and store openings, product launches, nmovie premieres and charity events. Lara spends most of her time in Los Angeles and Elizabeth lives in New York City. Together, they co-authored Fete Accompli!: The Ultimate Guide to Creative Entertaining and have been touted as experts in entertaining by Glamour, Elle, Vanity Fair, The New York TImes, "Extra," "E!," and :The Today Show."



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Review of I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence (Hardcover)

I have been enjoying Amy Sedaris's freaky-weird acting for years, so I had to snatch up this book the second I heard it was out. And, man oh man, I have been laughing for days. This is one addictive book, like a paper drug. I woke up this morning, and instead of thinking about my husband or cats or breakfast or my job, I imagined Amy Sedaris trying on pantyhose, and I thought "No Squirrels." (You'll understand after you read the book.) Then I wondered how on earth I would achieve that baked Alaska featured in her book.

This lady works comedic magic with this book. I have never, ever, ever read or seen anything like this strange book.

Yes, there is a plethora of valuable tips and recipes for entertaining, but the way Amy presents the info is nothing short of comic genius. The pictures are all gold. And her writing is rickety and charming. And wait till you find the secret poster! You will buy a locker just so you can hang it up!

Mark my word, this book will be *the* gift to give this holiday season. It is destined to make Amy Sedaris a household name. Plus, it is extremely useful and entertaining.



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Review of Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes (Better Homes & Gardens) (Paperback)

Of the 400+ pages only 190 of them are of any use to me. I use a crockpot because it is simple and tasty cooking. So, I was expecting alot of main dish recipies. And I was also expecting them all to be for the crockpot. There is over 60 pages of recipes that do not use the crockpot. There is over 125 pages dedicated to beverages, soups, breads, and desserts. I have never met anyone who has made hot chocolate or apple bread in a crockpot. Of the 190 pages of worth. only 25 pages were the type of recipies that I was looking for. ie. the chop-it up and throw it in the pot type. everything else involved browning or braising or some other type of stove technique. I guess I'm just the kind of cook who doesn'twant to screw around with browning anything. I bought this specifically because of the reviews on amazon. Hopefully this review will speak to those of you like me that are not chefs and are just looking for something easy and tasty to cook.

Product Description
* Great value-hundreds of tested and perfected recipes, informative tips, plus two bonus chapters-all-in-one economical resource for time-crunched cooks from the brand they know and trust.* Recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups, stews, main dishes, and desserts.* 416 pages-about one recipe per page-makes this the largest book of its kind.* Bonus chapters offer 5-ingredient recipes and one-dish meals.* Plenty of timesaving tips and advice for smoother meal prep.

About the Author
Dinner time is still family time - even with everyone's busy schedule - so you don't want to spend a lot of time planning, shopping and cooking great meals. 3-Step 30-Minute Recipes from Better Homes and Gardens offers up short ingredient lists and lip-smacking recipes for every meal (desserts and appetizers, too) so it easy for your focus to be on family and not on how long the meal took to prepare. And, if that isn't enough, each of the more than 200 recipes takes 30 minutes or less to prepare and includes a complete nutritional analysis.

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Review of At Home Cafe:: Gatherings for Family and Friends (Hardcover)

Veteran cooking teacher, DeFrance focuses on what matters most to me: Food, friends, and family. This book is an essential must-have volume for the modern home cook. For those on the go and for those with time on their hands At Home Café will be your go-to guide.

The book lists menus which cover all aspects of our lives, from tea parties to potluck game nights and everything in between. DeFrance's book is worth the cover price for the Old Fashioned Lasagna recipe, alone. At Home Cafe is loaded with helpful hints and good ideas to make cooking for friends and family easy and more enjoyable.

We have grown too accustomed to pulling up to the drive-through window, grabbing a paper sack, taking it home and eating it on the TV tray in front of the TV. That's not supper. DeFrance knows supper and her new book is the bible.

Product Description
With the publication of her first At Home Café cookbook, Helen Puckett DeFrance took her message of family bonding through cooking into homes all across America. Their tried and-true recipes, an inspired mix of old and new traditions, highlighted the pleasures of casual, at-home get-togethers with family and friends. Now DeFrance is back with an all new At Home Café cookbook, and once again casual entertaining takes center stage. Building on how the first book involved the whole family in the kitchen, this new volume features entertaining with friends and neighbors, including Neighbor Notes on complementary dishes that guests can bring. A wealth of menus is offered for spontaneous occasions as well, from the unstructured fun of a neighborhood picnic (featuring Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders and Po-Boy Sandwiches) to the relaxing weekend pleasure of a Southern jazz brunch (with Crab and Artichoke Casserole, Cheddar Cheese Puffs with Apple Smoked Bacon, and Creamy Dreamy Berry Treats). A countdown for every menu makes planning a breeze. The author is a veteran cooking school teacher with a knack for keeping things simple. Whether it is a hearty soup served around the fireplace on a cold winter's night; a make ahead casserole for those evenings when there's no time to cook; or a low-key tree-trimming get-together during the high-stress holidays, a whole lot of comfort is served up in these delectable dishes designed to create special memories with loved ones.



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Review of California Home Cooking (Paperback)

I picked up this cookbook as I left California.It has become my favorite with each recipe a winner with cook and guest.I especially enjoy the emphasis on fresh ingredients and the ethnic food selections that we were accustomed to in the restaurants in the San Francisco North Bay area.Highly recommend.



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Review of Vegan Planet: 400 Irresistible Recipes with Fantastic Flavors from Home and Around the World (Paperback)

This book makes an excellent gift for someone just starting to explore the vegetarian lifestyle. Surprisingly, it is also an excellent resource for the tried-and-true vegan.

For those just familiarizing themselves with the vegan diet, the author explains all potentially new terminology and describes common ingredients used in vegan food preparation: tofu, seitan, and miso for instance. For the most part, his recipes use readily-accessible ingredients, available in most supermarkets. In the rare cases where exotic ingredients are called for, the appendix lists mail-order sources for those who may not live near a natural food store.

The book starts with an excellent first chapter on nutrition. The author notes that a vegan diet provides all essential nutrients, though without proper supplementation it can be deficient in vitamin B12. This deficiency is often considered by those reluctant to switch to a vegetarian diet as the "Achilles Heel" of a vegan diet. In fact, having just one easily-remedied deficiency makes the standard non-vegan diet look pretty awful in comparison. While a standard dairy-and-meat-based diet may not be deficient in vitamin B12, it is certainly problematic in its propensity to cause heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and a wide range of other serious illnesses. In fact, as the author points out, a comprehensive set of long-term studies on diet and health done at Cornell University indicates that 80 to 90 percent of all cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other forms of degenerative illness are directly linked to the consumption of meat and dairy products. Talk about an Achilles Heel!

Interspersed between the recipes in this book are lots of hidden gems including lists of 10 environmental reasons to go vegan, 12 really great health reasons to go vegan, 7 great reasons to eat soy every day, and 9 compelling ethical reasons to go vegan. The author provides useful kitchen tips, such as stove-top cooking times for 15 kinds of grains and for 13 different beans. Nutritional profiles are provided for many foods, including the vitamin, mineral, and fatty acid content of 16 different nuts and seeds and 10 different kinds of sea vegetables.

For those interested in switching away from use of white sugar, the author introduces the alternative natural sweetener called stevia. He also provides guidelines for using maple syrup in place of white sugar in baking (indicating how to reduce the liquid in your recipe when you use a liquid sweetener instead of sugar). Furthermore, the author explains how to bake using eggalternatives.

Gosh, I haven't even mentioned the recipes themselves yet! The collection of tempting tasties covers the whole spectrum from A (Adzuki beans) to Z (Zucchini). 20 chapters of recipes provide great ideas for tasty chutneys, gnocchi, curries, pizzas, burgers, pancakes, "cheesecake", and so much more. This is the most comprehensive vegetarian cookbook I've ever come across.

This book is a great addition to any library of cookbooks, helpful to vegetarians and soon-to-be vegetarians alike. (Even meat-eaters won't feel deprived by the very creative recipes in this book.) I can't resist giving Vegan Planet my highest recommendation.



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