Exotic Herbs: A Compendium of Exceptional Culinary Herbs [Hardcover]

Carole Saville (Author), Rosalind Creasy (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

A brief history and instructions for growing accompany each herb, as do recipes chosen for their practicality in today's busy households.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While at first glance these two titles might seem very similar, they approach their subject from different angles, down to the different varieties of herbs discussed. For Gardner (The Old-Fashioned Fruit Garden, Chelsea Green, 1991), life revolves around herbs, and she joyfully draws on her extensive experience with them. Opening with a section on growing methods, she includes information on soil preparation and propagation, traditional and alternative methods of harvesting herbs, uses of herbs in the home (from aromatherapy to wreaths), and a short section on landscape design with herbs. More than half of Gardner's book is devoted to 75 herb portraits, each focusing on one herb (or in a few cases a wildflower or shrub) that the author has found useful. In her culinary-inspired work, Saville (coauthor of Herbs: A Country Garden Cookbook of Collins Pub. San Francisco, 1995) examines unusual herbs. After providing readers with a short chapter on growing herbs, she moves right into an up-close and personal look at 60 uncommon herbs, with a soupcon of history and folklore, scientific and common names, growing instructions, culinary uses, and even recipes. While Gardner covers a broader range of topics?everything from crafts to building your own drying racks?Saville prefers to concentrate solely on the growing and culinary usage of herbs. Gardner's charm and commonsense approach will appeal to the herb neophyte, while Saville's poetic and lyrical writing style will inspire the adventurous gardener/cook looking for new ideas and unusual varieties of herbs to try out.?John Charles, Scottsdale P.L, Ariz.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Sixty different herbs are highlighted in a guide that creatively and enjoyably melds the pursuits of gardening and cookery with a distinct artistry. Saville also combines plant culture and growing information with culinary counsel; in addition, native habitats are mentioned to shed light on the origins of the exotic plants included here. Saville's book should delight connoisseurs and fascinate knowledgeable gardeners with unusual recipes, such as an oriental-style garland chrysanthemum salad, iced jasmine water, polenta canapes with mushrooms and Roman mint sauce, and Rock Cornish game hens prepared with Cleveland sage (a pungent variety native to California). Features a comprehensive source list and photographs by celebrated kitchen gardener Rosaline Creasey. Alice Joyce

Product Details

• Hardcover: 308 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co; 1st edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805040730
• ISBN-13: 978-0805040739
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,117,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plows new ground, April 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Exotic Herbs: A Compendium of Exceptional Culinary Herbs (Hardcover)

If you're passionate about herbs and have grown and used all of the common varieties this book will introduce you to some of the lesser known -Papaloquelite, Culantro, Houttuynia, and my new favorite Smallage, also known as leaf celery.The author supplies specific growing information and recipes for each herb. -Linda Fry Kenzle, author of Gathering:Using Simple Materials from the Garden and Nature

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed book with great info, June 19, 2000

By 

Linda LeBoutillier "lindaleb" (Eagle, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exotic Herbs: A Compendium of Exceptional Culinary Herbs (Hardcover)

This is an excellently presented book, covering not just unusual herbs, but also different varieties of some old favorites like basil, rosemary, and thyme. The information is impecable, with some great new to me information on purslane, which is one of the unusual herbs I eat now. Carole Saville also explores some of the other oregano types, like Cuban oregano and Mexican oregano, with great pictures of these very decorative plants.

There are recipes throughout, and I have tried some, with a little substitution, since I do not have every ingredient. Imagine "Roasted Pumpking Seed Dip with Mexican Oregano." Carole Saville has presented and excellent book with a lot of new information for gardeners, cooks, and herb lovers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual Herbal Cookbook and Garden Guide, February 6, 2002

By 

Deborah Niskin (Miami Beach, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exotic Herbs: A Compendium of Exceptional Culinary Herbs (Hardcover)

I was looking for Za'atar - an herb used in the Middle East. This book explained it so well that I was even able to find the plants online. They are growing in my yard at this moment. The book has beautiful pictures and the unusual recipes are easy and delicious. The Miami Beach and the Broward Herb Societies both recommend this book.