A Squeeze of Lime: Lime Recipes from La Collina Verde Along with Treasured Family Favorites [Paperback]

Linda Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

If you think limes are only used to make Key Lime Pie and Margaritas, think again!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Linda Seigel Peterson arrives at an unusual single-subject approach in A SQUEEZE OF LIME." -- Publishers Weekly, July 24, 2000

From the Publisher

A Versatile Companion Fruit—the Lime

“What do I do with limes?” That’s the question friends asked Linda Seigel Peterson when she began sharing the bounty of 700 lime trees at La Collina Verde (“The Little Green Hill” in Italian), her family ranch set on a hillside overlooking Santa Barbara, California. A Squeeze of Lime is the result—with over a hundred recipes using limes in appetizers and drinks, soups and salads, entrées, marinades, salsas, and desserts. Linda’s enthusiasm for cooking became a passion during the eighteen years she has experimented with limes and tested recipes looking for a balance between simplicity and elegance. Some recipes are lovely twists on old favorites, like Chicken Soup and Lime Shortbread Cookies; others are more exotic, like Artichoke Tapanade and Steak La Collina Verde.

As Linda points out, the benefits of limes are not limited to cooking. Did you know, for example, that a squeeze of lime in the dishwater will cut grease? Or that a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of salt rubbed on the bottom of a copper-bottom pot removes the tarnish? Or that a squeeze of lime perks up many foods on the dieter’s menu and helps eliminate the need for salt? Best of all, limes are generally inexpensive and almost always available.

Peterson’s family and friends inspired her to collect and pass on many recipes, and as a tribute to all who offered assistance, she has included a section of family favorites—recipes that will bring back memories of old-fashioned home cooking. The book also contains a few recipes by Linda’s husband Pete, who shares her kitchen and does some tasty grilling when he is not tending the groves. Both Linda and Pete work with the University of California Extension Cooperative Agricultural Division, and have recently planted litchi and longan trees alongside the limes. UCEC monitors the trees and advises the Petersons on how to adapt these delicate Asian fruits to the moderate coastal climate. Too bad the trees are not yet bearing fruit—but then maybe that will be Linda’s next cooking project.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Daniel & Daniel Publishers (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564743373
• ISBN-13: 978-1564743374
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,522,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice but uninspiring, April 2, 2007

By 

JW (Houston, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Squeeze of Lime: Lime Recipes from La Collina Verde Along with Treasured Family Favorites (Paperback)

I absolutely adore limes, so I had to have this book to add to my collection. There are very few lime-themed cookbooks around.

Pros
1. This book is written by folks who own a lime orchard, so they know their stuff. There is some general information about limes & ways to use them at the start of the book. This kind of themed book is very useful when you have a bunch of limes and can't think what to do with them all.

2. Recipes are straightforward & easy. A few recipes use pre-packaged ingredients but most are from scratch. There are roughly 100 recipes in a 200 page book. I found the recipes I tested to be quite nice but nothing out of the ordinary.

3. Most recipes have a nice little introduction at the start, explaining where the recipe came from, and a short list of menu suggestions at the end.

4. The author includes a bonus chapter of favorite recipes from friends and family at the end of the book, which have nothing to do with limes.

5. Recipes are varied and include drinks, appetizers, sauces, salsas, marinades, mains and desserts/baking. It is a nice selection.

Cons
1. There are no photos or illustrations of the recipes.

2. Overall I would have to say that I didn't find the book particularly inspiring. I was hoping for at least a couple of recipes that would be "keepers" but haven't found any so far.

If you are looking for a good variety of recipes that use limes, this book would be a good choice for you. If you are more of a foodie, a gourmet or a cooking perfectionist, this book is probably not a great choice for you.

If you like cookbooks dealing with limes and lemons, you might also enjoy:

Luscious Lemon Desserts by Lori Longbotham - highly recommended. This is an excellent cookbook, all the recipes I have tried are both delicious and reliable. Lots of "keepers" here!

Joyce LaFray has written quite a few cookbooks about Key Limes eg Key Lime Desserts (Famous Florida) and The Key Lime Cookbook.. They are nice little cookbooks.

The Totally Lemons Cookbook (Totally Cookbooks)by Helene Siegel is a cute mini cookbook in the shape of a lemon. It makes a great but inexpensive gift. It has some good recipes for things like Shaker Lemon Pie.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fans of limes will relish the dishes herein, February 15, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: A Squeeze of Lime: Lime Recipes from La Collina Verde Along with Treasured Family Favorites (Paperback)

The lime enhances other flavors but has rarely received its own acclaim outside of lemons; this presents over a hundred recipes using limes along with family favorites and essays on leftovers. Fans of limes who find their dishes too rare will relish the dishes herein and the international flavors explored.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book written by an even more wonderful woman!, December 7, 2000

By 

Judith Friel (Dixon, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Squeeze of Lime: Lime Recipes from La Collina Verde Along with Treasured Family Favorites (Paperback)

I guarantee you won't be disapointed with a single recipe! I was absolutely thrilled to learn about Linda's cookbook offered on amazon.com. I have not seen this wonderful lady and dear friend for 16 years. I have first hand experience at her own table, of her expertise with food. Hers is a gift! I recommend this book highly and hope she writes more. This isn't just another cookbook...it's a cookbook with heart...Linda can't come into a persons life or work a project without leaving a life long heart print.......LINDA I MISS YOU AND WISH YOU EVERY BLESSING LIFE HAS TO GIVE......Judi Friel