Amazon.com Review
Cocina!, by Leland Atkinson, is an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn about Southwestern cooking. He provides clear photos and instructions on what to buy, where to get the right ingredients, and how to prepare them authentically. Following his guidance, don't be surprised if you prepare food as good as that in famous Southwestern spots like the Coyote Cafe and Red Sage, where Atkinson has worked. Recipes often have new twists while using familiar ingredients. A creative kind of guy, Atkinson shows how to decorate a plate with swirls and dots of sauce, just like the chefs do in restaurants.
From Booklist
Much more than a compilation of recipes, this is a practical, very clearly presented guide to many of the ingredients and techniques involved in southwestern cookery. (Much of the specific advice can also be used with related kinds of cooking, including Mexican, Tex-Mex, and some Latin American.) Want to know about fire roasting and peeling, rehydrating and pureeing dried chiles? Or about preparing moles, salsas, dry rubs, rellenos, empanadas, tamales, quesadillas, flans, etc.? It is all here, but the genuine pluses of Atkinson's approach are the many sidebars spelling out exactly what not to do, advice that will well serve novices in southwestern cuisine, as will the glossary of pertinent terms. Mouthwatering full-color photos add a visual backup. Sally Estes
