New American Table [Hardcover]

Marcus Samuelsson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Product Description

An affectionate, thoroughly diverse tribute to the modern American table

"I'll introduce you to friends I've met along the way who have shared their foods, told me their stories and inspired me with their passion. With recipes that range from elaborate entrees to simple snacks, I give an overview of American food as I see it and, hopefully, will provide a primer to navigate through an array of international influences to bring a world of flavor into your own home."-Marcus Samuelsson

In his bestselling The Soul of a New Cuisine, Marcus Samuelsson returned to the land of his birth to explore the continent's rich diversity of cultures and cuisines through recipes and stories from his travels in Africa. Now, in The New American Table, Samuelsson takes you on a journey of the inspired food of the United States, his beloved adopted country.

Acclaimed for the distinct and diverse cuisine he has created at Aquavit and Riingo, Samuelsson shares more than 300 recipes that embody the uniquely inclusive spirit of American cuisine, from high-end fare to street food; down-home Southern cooking to Southwestern flavors to Asian cuisines, and beyond.

In this new book, he explores the full spectrum of this regional American cooking that he has grown to love, meeting people along the way who have brought wonderful foods to their new home and to the receptive American people who have opened their minds and hearts to new foods and new cultures, including

• Green Salsa, to serve over shrimp or as a dip
• Breakfast Burritos
• Salmon Flatbread
• Tempura Crab Salad with Tamarind-Soy Vinaigrette
• Soy-Glazed Dumplings with Sweet Chile Sauce
• Chicken Sat? with Baby Spinach and Garlic Feta Dip
• Turkey Meatloaf with Tomato-Spinach Sauce
• Beer-Braised Short Ribs
• Rustic Chocolate Tart
• Red Berry Cobbler

A true celebration of the culinary gifts that define The New American Table, this book is accompanied by stunning food and travel photographs documenting Samuelsson's journeys across America and his discovery of the flavors of a nation. Drawing on his own rich cultural heritage, he has created an exciting tribute to the wide range of cultural influences and culinary traditions that have shaped modern American cuisine. The New American Table presents Samuelsson's interpretation of the food that has evolved from these diverse traditions-a contemporary, original, and uniquely American cuisine.

Recipe Excerpts from The New American Table

Tomato Bruschetta

Miso-Rubbed Rack of Lamb

Apple Cake

From Publishers Weekly

Samuelsson, author (The Soul of a New Cuisine; Aquavit and the New Scandinavian Cuisine) and co-owner/executive chef of New York City's Riingo and Aquavit, shares more than 300 recipes that attempt to define the unique amalgam of American cuisine. Samuelsson, who emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden, pays tribute to the mix of cultures that have shaped the American culinary landscape. His journey across the country showcases regional food along with the wide range of ethnic dishes that are so common today. From condiments, such as citrus mayonnaise and green salsa, and main dishes, such as Ivory salmon with jicama and ramp salad, to desserts, including rhubarb pudding and lemon-chocolate madeleines, Samuelsson highlights the breadth of our culinary diversity. In addition, he includes recipes for breakfast and brunch, breads and sandwiches, salads and snacks, small plates, soups and stews, holiday dishes and drinks. The result is an eclectic, appealing collection that showcases the richness of the American palate. From beef stir-fry with broccolini to lentil soup with pork and lamb meatballs or empanadas with peanut-mango sambal, Samuelsson takes the reader on a culinary journey unlike any other. 300 color photos. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047028188X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470281888
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > International
  • #99 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > U.S. Regional

More About the Author

Marcus Samuelsson is chef and co-owner of the restaurant Aquavit and is also the co-founder and Chief Creative Director of Townhouse Restaurant Group which operates Riingo, AQ Kafe, and C-House. The youngest chef ever to receive two three-star ratings from the New York Times, he appeared as the star of Discovery Home Channel's The Inner Chef television series and is the author of The Soul of a New Cuisine and Aquavit and the New Scandinavian Cuisine.The James Beard Foundation named him Rising Star Chef in1999 and, more recently, Best Chef, New York City (2003). He has been featured in O, Ebony, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Life, and Entertainment Weekly magazines; received a Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly and Editor's Pick in Library Journal for The Soul of a New Cuisine. Marcus has also appeared on The CBS Early Show, Martha, Weekend Today Show, The Today Show, and NPR. In 2008 he competed on Iron Chef America on the Food Network.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY American Table, November 12, 2009

By 

subrosa (Brooklyn NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New American Table (Hardcover)

The recipes from this book are amazing! So Often i buy a cookbook for its gorgeous photography or the personality behind it, only to get it home and realize it's full of recipes I could have-- and would have--come up with myself. You know the type: that incredible photograph that turns out to be a recipe for linguine with mushrooms. Like you needed a book for that.

This book doesn't do any of that "window dressing" recipe writing. It's brimming with combinations I never would have thought of (but that seem so right) and ingredients I can't wait to try. Thankfully, these aren't all expensive, exotic ingredients-- more the scary looking tube of pepper paste from the bodega down the street that you never knew what to do with. Well, Samuelsson tells you to slather it over some shortribs that you'll marinate in soy sauce and beer. You know what? They were the best shortribs I've ever had, and I made them myself.

I cook a lot, and I expect a great deal from my cookbooks. New AMerican Table makes a pretty sexy coffee table book that your friends will pore over when they visit, but it's also a totally inspiring kitchen companion and gripping bed time reading. Pear Pumpkin Salad with Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette? Homemade beef jerky? Miso Rubbed lamb? TELL ME MORE!

I made a double batch of the pretzels for a party and I had to hide one for myself, they were going so fast-- and people are still talking about them. These are dishes you'll remember for a long time. What a fantastic book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Proof read ?, August 30, 2010

By 

Jim Rad (Phila., Pa.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New American Table (Hardcover)

I very much enjoy Chef Samuelsson's restaurants, his appearances on television and to a point, this cookbook. The book has many varied "tastes" and combinations to try, which in itself is exciting. But I have a problem because it seems as though no one really proofed it when it comes to quantities of ingredients. When I first get any cookbook, I always try to prepare the recipes as written to see how the chef/writer wants to have the flavors come across. So far I have tried 5 and in each one there have been some steps/quantities that seem to be incorrect. For the ones that I've tried, all have been for a Serving of Four. Now we are not big quantity eaters, but halving the recipes would not have been enough for dinner. Admittedly, I've served some as a main course which could explain this discrepancy.

The Grilled Lobster-noodle Salad was very very good, although the text was incorrect for the amount of olive oil to be used. The dish being fairly "strong" in flavors could just as successfully been served with giant shrimp, saving the cost of fresh lobster.

The mushroom risotto was good but was almost overwhelmed by the addition of the wine & port at the end of the cooking cycle. Usually wine is put in first.

The Caramelized Scallop Salad was again good but 4 sliced "bay scallops" per person ? I don't think you would be able to find them in the salad.

The Head-on Shrimp with Bacon Orzo will be, when served again, very good, bringing a new taste (chermoula) to our table. Now I love cooking with salt but give me a break. The salt called for on the shrimp was way too much but nothing compared to what was indicated for the ground pine nut powder that was to be sprinkled on top of the orzo. Thank goodness there was still some left in the pot without the pine nuts, because it was inedible with them. The bacon orzo was way too fatty, with the reduction of either the amount of bacon or butter or olive oil required.

The Sesame Fried Tilapia was somewhat ho-hum.

I still would recommend this book but I will have to be more careful as I go along because of the problems I have mentioned.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost As Amazing As Marcus!, November 4, 2009

By 

Nancy Spears - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New American Table (Hardcover)

Marcus Samuelsson's New American Table is, like Marcus's cooking, a work of art. And like Marcus himself, his recipes are completely accessible and authentic.

New American Table is more than a cook book. It is an inspiration about how to follow your passion. In Marcus's case giving and cooking...in that order. His passion for cooking and his appreciation for America, its people is - well, almost tasted in every word. Seldom does a great chef share the humble details of his path, and what led him to become a world class, James Beard Award winner. In this book, Marcus's story is written eloquently and from the heart.

Although, truly a cookbook, New American Table is also autobiographical - a story of passion for loving what you do.. Eloquent and sometimes pithy stories are woven into the hundreds of recipes which add a special connection to the cooking experience. Stunning graphics, photography and shared experiences coast to coast make New American Table more than a cook book, it is an apprecaiton of the people and history of this great nation, fused together by culinary delights and the diverse ethnic cuisines found in America.

I am a foodie. I also collect good cook books and have had the privilege of meeting some of the greatest chef's at the annual Aspen Food and Wine Classic. Marcus Samuelsson's book is on the top of the stack of my favorite cook books for 2 reasons - Marcus is more than a chef, he is an amazing human being, and 2) I can actually cook with his recipes!