Amazon.com Review
If one were searching for a culinary melting pot, the Caribbean Islands would surely qualify. Since the world ceased being flat, conflicting influences of indigenous and European cuisines have evolved here, forming the amazing combinations that make island cooking one of the most diverse and delicious found anywhere in the world. By offering recipes of the most well known dishes from this tropical archipelago, The Essential Caribbean Cookbook provides a tasty selection of the popular foods that are most commonly associated with the region, including Jerked Chicken, Crab Creole, Frijoles Negros, Callaloo, and Banana Curry. But the menu doesn't stop there, it also includes several examples of more unusual dishes like Run Down, Picadillos, and Pepper Soup. Each recipe includes concise directions and excellent photos that provide a step-by-step visual guide. There are also helpful sections describing the special ingredients that give Caribbean cooking its unmistakable flavor, such as Hot Chile Oil, Barbados Seasoning, and Peanut Sauce. This entry to the long series of Essential cookbooks is a welcome addition and offers an excellent opportunity for cooks to spice up their kitchen with some delicious and easily prepared meals. --George Laney
