Back to Square One: Old-World Food in a New-World Kitchen [Hardcover]

Joyce Eserky Goldstein (Author), Rachel Goldstein (Illustrator), Evan Goldstein (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1992

Gets readers back in touch with their food heritage with more than 240 recipes from diverse culinary traditions. By the author of The Mediterranean Kitchen. 35,000 first printing. $60,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The title of this ambitious work by Goldstein ( The Mediterranean Kitchen ) reflects the name of her now rather famous San Francisco establishment, a comfortable, open-kitchen eatery where an eclectic mix of ethnic and American foods is artfully and often playfully presented. At the root of restaurant and book alike is Goldstein's vision of the chef's role as "artist, interpreter, and caretaker of cultural artworks we call recipes." Familiar classics (Passover sponge cake, persimmon pudding and gefilte fish), however, are the exceptions in a collection where an Italian fritto misto is given a subcontinental twist (and called Indian fritto misto al mare), where Caesar salad becomes a sauce for pasta, and where a crabmeat, corn and spinach risotto--Italian in origin--is embellished with Oriental flavors. Other interesting creations include a "jambalaya risotto" with shrimp, scallops, ham and smoked sausage; fish with tahini, cilantro and cayenne; and "cannoli of dreams," Italian fried pastries filled with sweetened mascarpone and ricotta, bing cherries, semisweet chocolate, lemon and tangarine peels. The result is an enticing array of multicultural recipes that are relatively simple to cook and fascinating to read. Illustrations, by Goldstein's daughter Rachel, not seen by PW. Author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688101224
• ISBN-13: 978-0688101220
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,064,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite cookbook of all time, June 5, 2000

By 

Larry Rudiger (Burlington VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to Square One: Old-World Food in a New-World Kitchen (Hardcover)

I have drawn on this book almost exclusively for about six years. Underneath the specific recipies is an approach that has transformed my own cooking. A huge bonus are the wine reccomendations for nearly every dish--including soups, salads, and desserts--that provide a road-map for discovering the pleasures of thoughtful matching. It's not fussy, but chock full of good humor, finesse, and joy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure, January 1, 2007

By 

Cracked Country Lips (Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back to Square One: Old-World Food in a New-World Kitchen (Hardcover)

I ate one of the best meals of my life at Square One in San Francisco. I keep the menu in the pages of this marvelous cookbook, which is one of my all time favorites. The recipes draw from many cultures---Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, French, Italian, Indonesian, Thai, Brazilian, Mexican, and more----and feature original combinations and cooking methods. The food is flavorful, straight-forward, and interesting with no fussiness. I love the way Goldstein offers alternative cooking methods and menu and wine suggestions for every dish. I can always find something interesting to cook in this book no matter what my mood, what ingredients I have on hand, and how much time I can spend. Among my favorite recipes are Bulgarian Salad of Roasted Peppers, Onions, and Walnuts; Ashe Maste(Persian Yogurt Soup with Meatballs); and Roast Duck with Pears, Chestnuts, and Ginger. Best of all, perhaps, are the fish recipes. Goldstein gives thirteen recipes for sauces and marinades that can be used with various kinds of fish as well as recipes for specific fish, including eight great recipes for salmon. There is also a wonderful chapter on wine by Evan Goldstein, the author's son.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have, June 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Back to Square One: Old-World Food in a New-World Kitchen (Hardcover)

I bought this book at Square One a few years ago in SF. A great meal, and I have had the pleasure of making many of the easy top follow recipes in this book. The stories adjacent to the recipes give background and also hints on preparation and substitutions.