The Mediterranean Pantry: Creating and Using Condiments and Seasonings (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Martin Brigdale (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A number of titles on preserving and on homemade condiments have appeared recently, including Charles Reavis's A Dash of Elegance (LJ 9/15/84) and Elisabeth Lambert Ortiz's Clearly Delicious (LJ 6/15/94), but this one is unusual in its focus on a particular area, the currently popular cuisines of the Mediterranean. Kremezi (The Foods of Greece, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1993) organizes her recipes by container, and in addition to the more common categories of pickles, flavored oils, relishes, and others "In Bottles" and "In Jars," she includes some "In Boxes," not only spice mixes and herb blends but also a number of baked goods that are good keepers. There are 70 recipes in all, many illustrated by full-page color photographs. Recommended for larger collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The Mediterranean Pantry is filled with delicious recipes for unusual and familiar condiments--preserves, flavored oils and vinegars, liqueurs, and spice and herb mixtures--that can be used to infuse sunny Mediterranean flavors into meals all year. It also contains many suggestions and a selection of delicious recipes that use these products to produce dishes with a Mediterranean flavor at a moment' notice. The text is accompanied by twenty color photographs. which demonstrate how to make these condiments into elegant gifts.

Drawing on customs that extend back to ancient times, Aglaia Kremezi explores traditional seasonings and preserved foods from around the Mediterranean, weaving together historical, mythological, and botanical information. She presents seventy recipes from Italy, Spain, Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean, and North Africa that incorporate distinctive herbs, spices, and flavorings. Included are recipes for Preserved Lemons, Harissa, Green Olives with Harissa and Orange, Green Fig Preserves, Fried Artichokes with Garlic in Olive Oil, Thyme Liqueur, Olive Oil with Truffles, and many other items with which to stock your pantry shelves and which also make out-of-the-ordinary gifts. Many recipes are as simple as mixing several ingredients, with little or no cooking.

The book includes a details list of mail-order sources so that even the most exotic ingredients are available to all. It is an indispensable volume for all who like to preserve their summer produce, prepare delicious, robust dishes quickly, and share the bounty of their larders by giving homemade prepared foods. Photographs by Martin Brigdale * A Book-of-the-Month Club Selection

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Artisan; First Edition edition (January 9, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188518302X
• ISBN-13: 978-1885183026
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,132,345 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PREPARE AHEAD MEDITERRANEAN MENU, April 13, 2004

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Mediterranean style cooking pleases many and award-winning Kremezi gathered some 70 no-nonsense recipes that will appeal to most.

Many of these recipes are as easy as blending several ingredients then storing the mixture. For instance, enchance grilled meat by basting with the recipe for Olive Oil with Rosemary and Pink Peppercorns.

Another prepare ahead pasta sauce is stored in your refrigerator, then can be heated as quickly as you cook your linguini.

Walnuts and honey was one of the first desserts served - way before sugar. Today its wonderful on yogurt or granola, and it will keep for 6 months to a year.

Aglaia Kremezi's motto is "Be prepared!"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rel Healful Eating, September 7, 2008

By	F. Parker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Good reference for those of us that want to eat very good. This is a good place to start building the collection of food, spices and know how.