Customer Reviews

The Appetizer Atlas: A World of Small Bites

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Everything about this book is impressive. The recipies are exhaustively researched and every region begins with a several page very entertaining description of the factors affecting the area's cuizine. Here and in the recipies themselves you will learn the spirit and letter of enjoying food in different parts of the world.

Flipping the book open to any page, here's what you see: first, the name of region and sub-region you are in, a very interesting synopsis of the dish and what makes it special. Right below this, is a very helpful section called "Chef's Notes", which tells you the secrets of proper preparation and what pitfalls to avoid.

The format of the recipies is elegant and easy to follow. Advance preparation directions are especially helpful. Optional ingredients are clearly marked and possible substitutions are noted. The preparation directions are very clear, giving you confidence that the author's have actually prepared the dishes and know exactly what to do and when.

Nevertheless, what really shines about this book is the actual appetizers chosen and the helpful way the world is subdivided. Reading over the names of the dishes alone will be enough to get you excited. As you dig deeper you will be drawn into the style and flavor of the region. The detailed and complete recipies found in this book which are packed with real information about the area and how to cook it is infinitely superior to the glib and hodge-podge collection that often passes for a cookbook. Buy this one and you will not be disappointed!

This 600+ page tome has a wonderful cosmopolitan approach and organisation to it's wonderful recipes for appetizers from around the world. The background information is very helpful and educational. The ingredients are generally readily available, prep time is reasonable, and instructions are clearly written. Although not necessary, I wouldn't mind if it had more photos in the book or on a website, as some of the appetizers are such appetizing eye candy!

These recipes are perfect for serving at more formal "theme" dinners, and also for serving casual as "comfort food".

The recipes, with simple to complex flavors, are a a great complement to such books as "Hors D'Oeuvres by Eric Treuille, which has even simpler recipes, more pictures, with more of an emphasis on bite-sized portions, ideal for fast and good appetizers. Enjoy both books!

I made six items from this book for a recent party, and every one was a hit. It has easy to follow instructions, and I love the sidebars references to recipe origins, etc.

The amount of accurate information about the world's cuisines is staggering. I loved the broad selection of recipes- meats, game, poultry, fish and seafood, and vegetarian. The recipes are clearly written and they work! A must read for professionals and home cooks alike. Should be on everyone's wish list.

I requested this book as a Christmas gift because of all the glowing reviews and I love appetizers for entertaining. My husband and I are always looking for new appetizer recipes and especially like ethnic recipes. This book seemed perfect.

Well, it's not. I do not doubt that the recipes taste good. They are probably also not very hard to make, but many, many of the recipes require ingredients that are not easy to find. Some of the meats used are venison, quail, dove, and baby goat. Many spices are also hard to find. I know that almost anything can be ordered over the internet, but I need recipes that I can go to the grocery store to get the ingredients.

If you have access to ethnic markets, you may enjoy this book, otherwise
beware that you may have trouble making a large number of the recipes in this book.

One other comment, there are photos in the book, but some of them are placed nowhere near the recipe they are for.

On a positive note: the descriptions of the different areas where the food comes from are very interesting and really add to the book. All in all though, I wish I had not asked for this book.

5/6/2003

THE APPETIZER ATLAS:

A World of Small Bites

By Arthur L. Meyer and Jon M. Vann

In Spain, appetizers are called tapas, in France canapés, in North Africa mezze and in Hong Kong, it's dim sum. These days when so many of us order a couple of appetizers to make pleasing meal, this book comes just in time.

In the Atlas, authors Meyer and Vann, each seasoned chefs and experts in global regional cooking, track the history, geography and culture of foods from North America to Southeast Asia, from the Middle East to the UK. They are as professionals appealing to chefs as well as serious home cooks.

The physical arrangement for this 624-page, 400-recipe food book is superb. Twenty-eight chapters feature separate regional cuisines. They are sequenced geographically. Historical/geographical introductions open each chapter. The book's detailed 27-page glossary plus 20-page bibliography well document this important work very well. Each researched and kitchen-tested recipe comes with step-by-step instruction, handy chef notes, pointers on advance preparation and simple guidelines for expanding number of servings. Occasional color photos stimulate a good cook's appetite.

From North America's Southwest, find their Warm Cheese Dip with Chiles which is a savory blend of blanco, jack and longhorn cheeses, Roma tomatoes, chipolte chilies, adobo sauce, heavy cream and Ancho chili.

From Mexico, they present Wild Mushroom Turnovers with Tomatillo-Mushroom Sauce highlighted with epazote leaves and Serrano chilies.

From the Dominican Republic comes Rum-Marinated Fried Chicken Drumettes with soy, orange, lime, hot paprika and other seasonings.

From Costa Rico we find Angel Hair Pasta (Fideo) and Three-Cheese Flan which combines butter with farmer's cheese, Muenster cheese and Parmesan cheese touched off with a Serrano chili tomato sauce.

From Argentina they present Beef Pie with Apricots, sirloin served with pungent spices, wine, raisins and apricots.

From Brazil, exciting Bahian-Style Mussels come with malagueta chilies, lime, wine and coconut milk.

From Hawaii, Marinated Sea Bass in Lime Juice and Coconut Milk with the thickened coconut milk Thai green chili, green papaya and crisp greens.

From Malaysia, Sweet-and-Sour Eggplant Curry with Pineapple in Lacy Pancakes, a dish with many spices, hot red chilies, tamarind paste and fresh ginger.

From Korea, Korean-Style Crab Cakes made with soy, sesame, crushed red pepper, rice and a carrot.

From China, Pan-Fried Potsticker Dumplings made with bok choy, pork, water chestnuts, Asian sauces, dipped in a soy, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame and chili sauce.

From Vietnam, Shrimp Pate on Sugarcane and Lemongrass, a delight made from tamarind paste, soybean sauce, chili paste, peanut butter and roasted peanuts with a pate of shrimp, roasted rice powder, salt pork, mint lettuce, cucumber and jalapeno chilies.

From Cambodia, Spicy Pork Bundles Wrapped in Lettuce, made with galangal, red chilies, peanuts Thai chilies along with lettuce, mint, basil, mung bean sprouts, cucumber and leek.

From Thailand, Beef Meatballs in Hot Peanut Sauce made with red curry paste, thick coconut cream, peanut butter, Belgian endive leaves and dry roasted peanuts.

From the Indian Subcontinent, Curried Shrimp with Tomato and Tamarind, ghee, fenugreek, fresh curry leaves and Serrano chilies.

From the Middle East, Lebanese Steak Tartare, made with tenderloin, spices, mint and pine nuts

From Tunisia, Olives Stuffed with Ground Beef in a Spice Ragout, a dish made with Tabil spices, tomato, lemon, harissa, large Sicilian olives, toasted fennel seeds and Anaheim green chilies

From North Africa, Rice-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Sole with Sweet and Sour Sauce made with white raisins, saffron threads, wine vinegar, orange flower water, cream of rice, almonds, ginger, Medijool dates and fish fumet.

From Scandinavia and the Baltic States (Sweden), Beef, Potato, Beet and Caper Sausage (Lindstrom's Beef) made with pickling liquid and paprika.

From Switzerland, Cheese Souffles in a Tomato Shell, Gruyere cheese and spices flavor the soufflés baked in hollowed, large tomatoes.

From Italy, Pumpkin-Filled Tortellini with Rabbit Sauce contains sage, mixed spices, balsamic vinegar, dry red wine, Parmesan cheese and finely crumbled amaretti biscuits.

From Spain, Garlic Shrimp with Sherry. This simple dish uses Anaheim chilies to accent the sherry flavor.

From France, the simple Sauteed Duck Breasts with Apples and Calvados in Pastry Cases

From Scotland, Pheasant and Leek Pies with Port Cream Sauce, utilize juniper berries, heavy cream and crimini mushrooms.

The Appetite Atlas will make a valuable addition to any food book collection.

© Marty Martindale, Largo FL, 2003

I bought this book to express my appreciation for Arthur Meyer's organic chemistry class. Oddly enough, I discovered that he had an entirely different life outside teaching.

The Appetizer Atlas is not only a comprehensize cookbook, but a good reference to the cutural aspects of cooking. Each section begins with a brief history of the geography and the culture of the region and how these contributed to the local cuisine.

Extensively researched and elegently concieved, this book is a smart buy.

Meyer and Vann have provided a wealth of information for the professional and the home cook alike. Selections include meats, game, poultry and fowl,fish and seafood and vegetarian offerings from every cooking region of the world. This cookbook takes the place of hundreds of single topic books. The recipes are very easy to follow and they come out great! This is a cookbook that begs to be read. Sitr in your favorite easy chair and curl up with the Appetizer Atlas. It's a great read!

If so, adding this wonderful cookbook to your kitchen is a great start.
This compilation of morsels from around the world is sure to tickle your palate.
It's packed with offerings that are eclectic and easy to make, such as maple glazed baby back riblets, or the leek, bacon, and Emmentaler tart.
Dining with your friends using treasures from this cookbook is like going on a world tour, without leaving the comfort of your own kitchen.
The attention to preparation and presentation is outstanding and easy to follow.
I'm looking forward to our next meal prepared from this great cookbook!

I found very few recipes I was actually interested in making. We have "Appetizer" parties twice a year and I am always looking for good recipes. I could not find anything to add from this cookbook.