Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood [Spiral-bound]

Scott Haugen (Author), Tiffany Haugen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004

From elegant restaurants to backyard grills, the ancient method of cooking food on a wooden plank is a cooking style that's rapidly growing in popularity. When it comes to capturing the essence of natural wood and unparalleled texture in meats, vegetables, and other culinary delights nothing compares to plank cooking.

In Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood, globe-trotting authors, Scott & Tiffany Haugen, share some of the world's most exquisite flavors. Thai red curry prawns, Achiote pork roast, pesto couscous stuffed chicken, and caramelized bananas are just a few of the unique recipes brought to life in this fully illustrated, one-of-a-kind book. In the oven or on a grill, plank cooking is fun and simple. This book outlines how to master the art of plank cooking--from seasoning planks to detailed cooking tips in over 100 easy-to-follow recipes. Though exotic tastes prevail, the ingredients used in this book are easy to find in most grocery stores. So whether you're hosting a large backyard BBQ, or just trying to satisfy the finicky eaters in your family, you will find many great meals in Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood. 

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 152 pages
• Publisher: Frank Amato Publications, Inc. (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571883320
• ISBN-13: 978-1571883322
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #418,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Flavors!!, March 1, 2006

By 

Theresa Baker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood (Spiral-bound)

We have been plank cooking salmon for years. The Haugen's book on plank cooking has opened up a new world for us. WE have used recipes from every chapter both on the grill and in the oven and they are all wonderful! The easy to follow instructions and recipes will make it easy for anyone to become an expert at plank cooking!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An introduction to a Pacific Northwest Tradition, February 28, 2006

By 

M. Slind "book worm" (Decorah, Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood (Spiral-bound)

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and have always enjoyed the flavor of salmon cooked over alder. After some friends treated us to alder "planked" salmon on a camping trip, we searched Amazon and discovered this book. We've tried a number of the basic recipes with great success. Perhaps more significantly, those recipes have encouraged me to experiment with a variety of woods for some of my more "traditional" recipes, every time with great success. (For example, spareribs, a Texas-style dry rub, and either an alder or hickory plank make a fantastic taste combination.) The recipes include a wide range of spice and flavor combinations, from simple to what I would call "nouveau cuisine," which should meet most people's taste preferences. And the range of possible combinations, based on wood types, additional spices, or flavors in the soaking process, leaves room for almost limitless experimentation.

We have enjoyed the book so much that we've given it as gifts to several friends. Their responses have also been enthusiastic.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instructional guide including numerous exceptional recipes, October 11, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood (Spiral-bound)

Plank Cooking: The Essence Of Natural Wood is introduced by directions for preparing a plank of alder, hickory, maple, oak, or other wood. Simple pieces of beef, pork, poultry, or fish as well as all kinds of fruits and vegetables can be cooked on a plank over a grill or in an oven to give it a delicious, smoky flavor picked up from the plank. But the one hundred recipes by the much-traveled authors are for more involved recipes that are more flavorful using spices, cheeses, sauces, and other ingredients. Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Topping; Aciote Pork Roast; Whitetail Tenderloin with Blue Cheese; Snapper with Creamed Vegetables; and Oyster Bacon bites are only a few of the appetizing recipes that can be done with plank cooking. Plank cooking is not difficult. But you want to learn how to do it right by going to this simple instructional guide including the numerous exceptional recipes.