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My Rustic Sandwiches: Great Recipes to Savor Artisan Bread

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Sandwiches have come a long way since a hungry British Earl decided to slap a piece of meat between two slices of bread so he could keep on playing in a card game without interruption. The once lowly and ubiquitous sandwich has now risen to fresh and new culinary heights with "My Rustic Sandwiches: Great Recipes to Savor Artisan Bread" by Sam Sidawi, a man who draws upon years of research into the making of artisan breads and has now compiled a 96-page compendium dedicated to superb artisan bread creations that even the most novice of kitchen cooks can easily and deftly prepare. More than just a 'how to' for making exotic sandwiches, "My Rustic Sandwiches" is a full course, single-volume instruction guide explaining every aspect of the twelve-step bread making process, including 'Baker's Math', weights and measurements, before launching into a succulent, mouth-watering assemblage of easy to follow recipes for everything from 'Baguettes with Poolish'; to Feta Cheese, Tomato, Cucumber and Olive Oil on French Loaf Bread; to Sesame Crusted Grilled Salmon, Lemon Basil Mayonnaise, Diced Red Onions, Tomatoes and Parsley on Parisienne; to Burger au Poivre with Porteenie Mushroom on Sesame Kaiser Bread. Superbly illustrated throughout in full color, "My Rustic Sandwiches" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

***** FOUR AND A HALF STARS! For sandwich lovers who want to take their passion to the next level, this book will guide you to eating experiences you have perhaps never imagined. Artisan breads are clearly a passion for Mr. Sidawi, since he has 10 DVD titles featuring instructions on making these delights. However, he readily admits that making your own bread isn't for everyone. Even so, there is a section in this book with recipes for several of them; along with explanations of ingredients and methods, should you feel adventurous.

The sandwiches? If you are interested in making uncomplicated basic sandwiches or the gourmet variety, you'll definitely find recipes you will enjoy within the pages of this book. There are mouth-watering examples of everything from suggestions of various cheeses paired with breads (Camembert Cheese on Baguette), to familiar sandwich ingredients (Classic all dressed Ham Sandwich on Baguette), all the way to a variety of exotic stuffing that I had never before thought of putting into a sandwich. For instance, there are sandwiches with Sautéed Dandelion, Caramelized Onions, Shaved Radish and Squeeze of Lemon Juice on Pita Bread; as an added visual delight, all these are accompanied by photographs that are so well done you can almost smell the food!

In addition to the above mentioned recipes, Mr. Sidawi also has recipes for heartier fair that no one would be shy to serve their dinner guests. Some examples of these are: Grilled Chicken, Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise, Roasted Tomatoes with Herbs, and Provolone Cheese on Ciabatta, which is a type of moist Italian bread made with olive oil. As an added surprise, recipes are included (at the back of the book) for the various Spreads and Dips called for in some of the sandwich masterpieces.

Whether you like trying out new recipes or you are a Cookbook-Junky who loves "just looking," you are bound to enjoy this unique cookbook. *****

Reviewed by Tracey Naylor for Huntress Reviews.