Customer Reviews

Mediterranean Hot: Spicy Recipes from Southern Italy, Greece, Turkey & North Africa

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

 

 

I picked up this book on a whim (a cookbook weakness moment...you know what I mean if you love food and cooking). Sometimes single subject cookbooks can be risky--you'll find only one or two recipes that would blow your skirt up, so to speak, but I've enjoyed many of the recipes I've prepared from this book and those that I haven't are on my 'to do' list. The issue of 'hot'is alittle vague here. The author mentions 'chile peppers' in many of the recipes but does not tell you the preferred variety...hence the 3 star rating. As a 'foody', I particularly enjoyed the historic references to the origins of dishes--I made a dish from ancient Byzantinum last night. It discusses the use and history of spicy foods in the Mediterranean. This is not a food essay book--and, depending on your view of those types of books could be good or bad (for me their great if that's what I am expecting but if I want recipes--eeek!)This book gives you a brief history of the dish followed by an easily understood and followed recipe plus sources for weird ingredients. By the way--not all the recipes are killer hot--it depends on the pepper you use and your discretion with the recipe chosen. In a search to break away for the ordinary and incorporate healthier Mediterranean foods into diet take a look here.

I agree with the author above but I do believe the recipes are superb and the author is quite a well-respected authority on Greek cooking in particular, as well as the Mediterranean as a whole. Her pepper referneces are not very detailed, it's true. I think professionals still speak to laymen as somewhat simpleminded and in this case, I am a professional. I do think the home cook will find these recipes quite executable and reliable, which is more than I can say for chefs as Batali that always leave a very pertinent ingredient and or step out of the recipe, so your final result will never be as good. This is despicably miserable and stingy. Miss Kremezi does not do that. Like most Greeks, she gives her all. A deserving James Beard Award winner (though not for this book).