The pleasure of reading is enhanced by tasting food of the land where a story unfolds or toasting a hero with the beverage of his choice. Who, when reading Tolstoy or Chekov, might not imagine a cherry-preserve sweetened tea? A novel by Kiran Desai or Jhumpa Lahiri leads to saffron-infused basmati. Kathryn Stockett fans will add to their experience by nibbling pralines. Let sophisticates hail Ian Fleming or Jay McInerney with a martini, stirred or shaken. A Reader's Cookbook divides the world into 17 literary/culinary regions, the last covering fictional utopias and dystopias. A reader delving into a world gone awry needs luscious food! Choices allow the word-inspired chef to cook dinner, host a book-club tea or prepare an easily-transported treat. The literary palate is also explored in a smorgasbord of writer quotes on food favorites and other soulful nourishments.
A Reader's Cookbook
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Choate, co-author of New American Classics and the French Culinary Institute's Fundamental Techniques of Classic Cuisine and Fundamental Techniques of Classic Pastry Arts (a James Beard award-winner), dumbs it down - way down - in this rote collection of regional recipes. Geared toward book clubs, Choate organizes her recipes by region, allowing clubs to create menus based on a book's setting or author's homeland. Recipes are scaled to accommodate large groups, enabling book-lovers to make enough Stuffed Mushrooms or Boston Baked Beans to feed an army, and enough of the Southern sweet Bourbon Balls to stock a store. Most of her American fare is as predictable as it is pedestrian (Buffalo Chicken Wings are par for the course), though the occasional international recipe surprises: Feijoada, a meaty Brazilian stew, perfect Turkish coffee, and the Russian drink Kvas lend an air of authenticity to clubs working their way through Anna Karenina. But not even a bottomless glass of Southwest Margaritas (serves 12) can save the book; its cheap layout, seemingly random quotes from famous authors, and the inclusion of dishes as basic as Deviled Eggs make this an easy one to skip.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review
"Judith Choate is as passionate about the written word as she is about food, making A Reader's Cookbook both a pleasure and a terrific blueprint for sharing great writing and great eats." -- Michael McCarty of Michael's Restaurants in Santa Monica and New York
"A Reader's Cookbook encourages you to curl up not only with a good book but also a terrific collection of recipes. Judith Choate explores the surroundings of favorite authors with delicious results." -- Nan Lyons, author of "Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" and "Around the World in Eighty Meals"
"Judith Choate has masterfully created a delicious road map for a culinary journey around the world. It's the perfect pairing to any book club." -- Charlie Palmer, of Aureole, Joule and other restaurants, hotels and wine shops across the country
"A Reader's Cookbook encourages you to curl up not only with a good book but also a terrific collection of recipes. Judith Choate explores the surroundings of favorite authors with delicious results." -- Nan Lyons, author of "Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" and "Around the World in Eighty Meals"
"Judith Choate has masterfully created a delicious road map for a culinary journey around the world. It's the perfect pairing to any book club." -- Charlie Palmer, of Aureole, Joule and other restaurants, hotels and wine shops across the country
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
I first learned of Judith Choate because of her work with Patti LaBelle on her book. From that point onward I knew she would be someone to watch and follow, and this book is just another example of that.
Geared towards reading groups and their love of meeting together and eating while discussing the featured title, Judith has taken into consideration the fact that we all come from different backgrounds but may want to try a little something different every once and a while.
The book is a great find for those who do want to sample various cuisines and are looking for a place to discuss them. You almost want to set aside at each meeting and talk about how the dish was put together, what region it favors and how those in attendance feel about it.
From beginning to end I felt like A READER'S COOKBOOK is not just a cook's dream but a book lover's one as well.
Geared towards reading groups and their love of meeting together and eating while discussing the featured title, Judith has taken into consideration the fact that we all come from different backgrounds but may want to try a little something different every once and a while.
The book is a great find for those who do want to sample various cuisines and are looking for a place to discuss them. You almost want to set aside at each meeting and talk about how the dish was put together, what region it favors and how those in attendance feel about it.
From beginning to end I felt like A READER'S COOKBOOK is not just a cook's dream but a book lover's one as well.
Format:Hardcover
I hate to be negative about a cookbook BUT, the least that can be expected, if you ask me, is that the measurements are accurate and do not leave any doubt about what amount of an ingredient is intended by the author and *certainly* the confusion should not be due to very sloppy editing.
With this book, it took me just minutes leafing through to find a couple of typos that make me think: whoever did this book up wasn't very fussy about accuracy. (So, I am not anxious to blow more money and time on this book or it's recipes. I'm not left feeling comfortable that these recipes are tested or have been thoroughly edited for correctness. I'm wondering if a fraction was left-out in both these cases; probably not--but who knows for sure? And who knows what other text has not been edited properly? Seems it's a gamble that the buyer shouldn't have to deal with.)
Examples: page 16, Four-Cheese Macaroni calls for "1 cups mascarpone cheese" and on page 97, the Irish Oatmeal Cookies, first ingredient specified is "1 cups all-purpose flour." There might be other typos, but these are the two I've noticed after first cruise through this book. The author is a 3 time James Beard award-winning author. Somebody slipped up. :(
With this book, it took me just minutes leafing through to find a couple of typos that make me think: whoever did this book up wasn't very fussy about accuracy. (So, I am not anxious to blow more money and time on this book or it's recipes. I'm not left feeling comfortable that these recipes are tested or have been thoroughly edited for correctness. I'm wondering if a fraction was left-out in both these cases; probably not--but who knows for sure? And who knows what other text has not been edited properly? Seems it's a gamble that the buyer shouldn't have to deal with.)
Examples: page 16, Four-Cheese Macaroni calls for "1 cups mascarpone cheese" and on page 97, the Irish Oatmeal Cookies, first ingredient specified is "1 cups all-purpose flour." There might be other typos, but these are the two I've noticed after first cruise through this book. The author is a 3 time James Beard award-winning author. Somebody slipped up. :(
By DK
Format:Hardcover
I LOVED this book - the theme enticed me to buy it and the recipes I've tried have been absolutely wonderful! More importantly, this book has been the perfect way to add a delicious element to my book club meetings! Choate promises to "amplify (readers') understandings through literal tastes from a particular culture in which a poem, novel, biography or reflection is set," and she delivers in spades!
The book is filled with alluring photography, including a color insert of mouthwatering photos of all but a few of the dishes described in each chapter. The book is set up by region, with each chapter covering a different part of the world and sprinkled with poignant quotes from well-known authors (great little hints for new books for my book club!).
The recipes - all of which conveniently come in group portions (which is perfect for my book club), and are REALLY accessible. Choate even shows you how to make a bunch of the recipes in a series of lovely YouTube videos (be sure to check out her cherry soup blooper - it's hilarious!). For example, I never would have tried making Indian food at home after my book club finished "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali, but seeing Choate do it in the YouTube video and then explain it so easily in the recipes in the cookbook, I gave it a shot and it was a smash hit with my friends - they couldn't get enough of the Dal Pancakes. The Tandoori Chicken was also surprisingly easy!
Recipes vary from the internationally exotic to 19th-century U.S. regional dishes with delicious new twists. The scope of the book really is international - I GUARANTEE that there is something to match absolutely anything you are reading. If you want to enhance your reading, GET THIS BOOK!
The book is filled with alluring photography, including a color insert of mouthwatering photos of all but a few of the dishes described in each chapter. The book is set up by region, with each chapter covering a different part of the world and sprinkled with poignant quotes from well-known authors (great little hints for new books for my book club!).
The recipes - all of which conveniently come in group portions (which is perfect for my book club), and are REALLY accessible. Choate even shows you how to make a bunch of the recipes in a series of lovely YouTube videos (be sure to check out her cherry soup blooper - it's hilarious!). For example, I never would have tried making Indian food at home after my book club finished "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali, but seeing Choate do it in the YouTube video and then explain it so easily in the recipes in the cookbook, I gave it a shot and it was a smash hit with my friends - they couldn't get enough of the Dal Pancakes. The Tandoori Chicken was also surprisingly easy!
Recipes vary from the internationally exotic to 19th-century U.S. regional dishes with delicious new twists. The scope of the book really is international - I GUARANTEE that there is something to match absolutely anything you are reading. If you want to enhance your reading, GET THIS BOOK!
