The Florida Keys Cookbook: Recipes and Foodways of Paradise (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Since Key West is both a navy town and a resort town, the chief demarcation between winter and summer lies in the crackling noise which..." (more)
Key Phrases: cup snipped fresh basil, hot pepper sherry, cup minced sweet onions, Key West, Florida Keys, State Archives of Florida (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Think of the Florida Keys and think of a food paradise: fresh from the sea stone crabs, yellowtail snapper, and sweet shrimp; fresh from the dooryard garden key limes, mangoes, avocados, and papayas. Toss in the influence of a variety of ethnic food traditions - from Afro-Caribbean and Cuban to Spanish, Asian, British, German, and Italian - and the result is a diverse and vibrant culinary scene. The cooks of the Florida Keys have been transforming local ingredients into memorable meals for generations, and now so can you.
The Florida Keys Cookbook is a fascinating combination of food history, local lore, and mouthwatering recipes from restaurant chefs and home cooks. With more than 175 recipes, fun archival photographs, and lots of engaging anecdotes, this cookbook lets you capture a taste of the Keys and celebrate its flavors in your own kitchen.
Try these Florida Keys sensations at home:
Crab Claw Bisque
Rosemary Roasted Boniato Fries
Basil-Crusted Yellowtail with Herb-Tomato Sauce
Sautéed Snapper with Champagne-Tarragon Butter Sauce
Wasabi Grilled Grouper
Mama Louise's Jerked Pork Chops
Bourbon Barbecued Baby Backs
Classic Arroz con Pollo
Bahamian Bread Pudding
Calamondin Cake
Key Lime Cheesecake
Tres Leches Cake

About the Author

Victoria Shearer is a longtime travel and food journalist and a frequent contributor to national magazines and newspapers. She is also the author of Insiders' Guide to the Florida Keys.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 296 pages Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (December 1, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 0762735465 ISBN-13: 978-0762735464 Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #236,293 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #84 in  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Florida

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More About the Author

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› Visit Amazon's Victoria Shearer Page

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Since Key West is both a navy town and a resort town, the chief demarcation between winter and summer lies in the crackling noise which sounds over the island in the winter. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cup snipped fresh basil, hot pepper sherry, cup minced sweet onions, cup snipped fresh cilantro, tablespoons key lime juice, fresh key lime juice, guava duff, guava shells, cup chopped sweet onions, dooryard gardens, vegetable cooking spray, mojo sauce, minced fresh gingerroot, bottled hot sauce, place olive oil, guava paste, plastic zipper bag, finger bananas, mango nectar, spun dry, large nonstick skillet, papaya seeds

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Key West, Florida Keys, State Archives of Florida, United States, Duval Street, New World, Old Sour, Eagle Brand, Key Largo, Sloppy Joe, Duck Key, Gulf of Mexico, South Florida, Ernest Hemingway, Pad Thai, President Truman, The Little White House, West Indian, Yukon Gold, Busha Browne's Spicy, Cool Whip, Duncan Hines, Flagler's East Coast Railroad Extension, Front Street, Kitchen Bouquet

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 9 books:

• The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway on page 14
• In the Beginning (Abingdon's Great Big Books) by Judy Newman-St. John in Front Matter
• Fish House by Dennis J. Barton in Front Matter
• Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway on page 14
• A Key West Companion by Christopher Cox on page 232

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The Barbecue! Bible by Steven Raichlen Discusses: finger bananas mango nectar spun dry Eating Stella Style by Christian Stella Discusses: vegetable cooking spray minced fresh gingerroot place olive oil Zone Meals in Seconds by Barry Sears Discusses: bottled hot sauce spun dry large nonstick skillet The Gourmet Cookbook by Ruth Reichl Discusses: cup chopped sweet onions finger bananas mango nectar Loading...

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	80% buy the item featured on this page: The Florida Keys Cookbook: Recipes and Foodways of Paradise 4.8 out of 5 stars (5) $11.53
	6% buy Miami Spice: The New Florida Cuisine 4.8 out of 5 stars (15) $10.85
	5% buy Special Taste of Florida : An Authorized Collection of 400 Outstanding Recipes from the Kitchens of Florida's Premier Restaurants, Resorts & Luxury Hotels 4.8 out of 5 stars (5)
	4% buy Keys Cuisine: Flavors of the Florida Keys 4.0 out of 5 stars (5) $11.56

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Combines history, culture and local lore in 175 recipes, August 4, 2006 By  Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/06) Victoria Shearer is a travel and food journalist. In "the Florida Keys Cookbook" she combines history, culture and recipes. This book is as versatile as the variety of ethnic influences of the Keys. Mix "Afro-Caribbean and Cuban to Spanish, Asian, British, German, and Italian-and the result is a diverse and vibrant culinary scene." Ms. Shearer walks us through history beginning with the ice age and advancing to the 21st century. The residents in the 1800's had to be a tough lot. "They endured hurricanes, mosquitoes, sand fleas, extreme heat, isolation, no fresh water, no refrigeration, no electricity, no modern plumbing and no medical aide." They battled "large roaches, and ants." They did have "clean air, warm sunshine, and the riches of the sea." I found of particular interest the discussion of water. Water was a precious commodity. Cisterns were built and houses equipped with a method of collecting rainwater. The Keys' becoming a popular vacation spot in the 1980's, was instrumental in a change in cuisine. Floribbean, was "colorful, ethnic, and bursting with new flavors, it swept the nation." The new cuisine has unofficially been dubbed "Conchfusion", "takes advantage of the increased availability of unusual ingredients from around the globe, fusing them with the bounty of the sea and the tropical jewels of the dooryard garden." The recipe for "Pulled Pork Barbecue" intrigued me. I could hardly wait to give it a try. It was worth the wait. The recipe reminds me of southern barbecue. The taste is tangy and rich, well worth the effort. Of course no Florida Keys Cookbook would be complete without recipes containing key limes. "Key Lime Cheese Cake" is delicious. I plan to hang on to this one and use it for special occasions. "Key Lime Cake" is a winner with my family. Anyone that has dreamed of a warm tropical nights with a gourmet meal, a fruit drink and palm trees swaying in the breeze will want a copy of this book. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars From Key West and Beyond, this is a Cookbook for You, October 12, 2006 By  Katie Osborne (Portland, Oregon and the sunny Caribbean) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       The Florida Keys Cookbook is one of the five best Florida/Gulf Coast cookbooks out there. Well, that's my opinion. I've been updating my Amazon "So You'd Like to Guides" and I have one on Key Lime Pie. Take a look at it if you want. Anyway, I've included fifty cookbooks (the maximum Amazon will allow) in all my guides, so I've had a chance to go through my collection. And quite a collection it is, I've got hundreds of cookbooks and I go through them all the time. That's my problem, how to organize them. While going through what I wanted to include in my guides, I started separating them into piles, the ones I couldn't live without and the ones, if I absolutely had to, I could give away as gifts, you know, like if we moved into a very small place. The Florida Keys Cookbook is one I could never part with. I love the food and the atmosphere of Florida and the Gulf Coast, have spent a lot of time there, as I'm a sailing lady. I'm also somewhat of a gourmet chef. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, or galley, depending if I'm at home in the States or on our boat in the Caribbean. The recipes here will make your family, or even just yourself, if you live alone, drool. They are mouthwatering good and that's the truth. Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious Taste of the Keys, December 4, 2007 By  Michelle L. Caffrey "bargewoman" (USA and France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    How many cookbooks do you buy, look at them once or twice and then forget about them? This cookbook is packed with genuine Florida Keys recipes including my favorite, "Chardonnay Shrimp." Since most of the recipes come from Keys restaurants, the book also acts as a restaurant guide. Interspersed with old photos and the history of the area, the book gives new meaning to "flavor of the area." A must have for those who love food and the Florida Keys.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Great book!!! The recipes are simple, easy to follow and delicious. No hard to find ingredients. It includes recipes from different Int'l cuisines. Read more Published 16 months ago by A.R. 5.0 out of 5 stars Try a Taste of the Keys Tasty recipes are interspersed with tidbits about the ingredients (pineapple, crab, papaya seeds, etc.). Read more Published on June 20, 2006 by Virginia Allain Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762735465
• ISBN-13: 978-0762735464
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #236,293 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #84 in

  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Florida

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Combines history, culture and local lore in 175 recipes, August 4, 2006

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/06)

Victoria Shearer is a travel and food journalist. In "the Florida Keys Cookbook" she combines history, culture and recipes. This book is as versatile as the variety of ethnic influences of the Keys. Mix "Afro-Caribbean and Cuban to Spanish, Asian, British, German, and Italian-and the result is a diverse and vibrant culinary scene."

Ms. Shearer walks us through history beginning with the ice age and advancing to the 21st century. The residents in the 1800's had to be a tough lot. "They endured hurricanes, mosquitoes, sand fleas, extreme heat, isolation, no fresh water, no refrigeration, no electricity, no modern plumbing and no medical aide." They battled "large roaches, and ants." They did have "clean air, warm sunshine, and the riches of the sea."

I found of particular interest the discussion of water. Water was a precious commodity. Cisterns were built and houses equipped with a method of collecting rainwater.

The Keys' becoming a popular vacation spot in the 1980's, was instrumental in a change in cuisine. Floribbean, was "colorful, ethnic, and bursting with new flavors, it swept the nation." The new cuisine has unofficially been dubbed "Conchfusion", "takes advantage of the increased availability of unusual ingredients from around the globe, fusing them with the bounty of the sea and the tropical jewels of the dooryard garden."

The recipe for "Pulled Pork Barbecue" intrigued me. I could hardly wait to give it a try. It was worth the wait. The recipe reminds me of southern barbecue. The taste is tangy and rich, well worth the effort. Of course no Florida Keys Cookbook would be complete without recipes containing key limes. "Key Lime Cheese Cake" is delicious. I plan to hang on to this one and use it for special occasions. "Key Lime Cake" is a winner with my family.

Anyone that has dreamed of a warm tropical nights with a gourmet meal, a fruit drink and palm trees swaying in the breeze will want a copy of this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Key West and Beyond, this is a Cookbook for You, October 12, 2006

By	Katie Osborne (Portland, Oregon and the sunny Caribbean) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Florida Keys Cookbook is one of the five best Florida/Gulf Coast cookbooks out there. Well, that's my opinion. I've been updating my Amazon "So You'd Like to Guides" and I have one on Key Lime Pie. Take a look at it if you want. Anyway, I've included fifty cookbooks (the maximum Amazon will allow) in all my guides, so I've had a chance to go through my collection. And quite a collection it is, I've got hundreds of cookbooks and I go through them all the time. That's my problem, how to organize them. While going through what I wanted to include in my guides, I started separating them into piles, the ones I couldn't live without and the ones, if I absolutely had to, I could give away as gifts, you know, like if we moved into a very small place.

The Florida Keys Cookbook is one I could never part with. I love the food and the atmosphere of Florida and the Gulf Coast, have spent a lot of time there, as I'm a sailing lady. I'm also somewhat of a gourmet chef. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, or galley, depending if I'm at home in the States or on our boat in the Caribbean. The recipes here will make your family, or even just yourself, if you live alone, drool. They are mouthwatering good and that's the truth.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious Taste of the Keys, December 4, 2007

By	Michelle L. Caffrey "bargewoman" (USA and France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

How many cookbooks do you buy, look at them once or twice and then forget about them? This cookbook is packed with genuine Florida Keys recipes including my favorite, "Chardonnay Shrimp." Since most of the recipes come from Keys restaurants, the book also acts as a restaurant guide. Interspersed with old photos and the history of the area, the book gives new meaning to "flavor of the area." A must have for those who love food and the Florida Keys.