Referencing Friday REVIEW: The Florida Keys Cookbook: Recipes and Foodways of Paradise by Victoria Shearer

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

My Thoughts

I have been trying to get into eating more locally grown food, which means eating seasonally. So I've been looking for a good "Gulf Coast Florida cooking" kind of cookbook. It's taken awhile for me to find one that really appealed to me, but I spotted this one at the Naples Zoo when I was visiting there with my father and nephew.

This book not only captures the flavors of south Florida, but the "flavor" of south Florida. There are stories about the history of different foods commonly found in this area, which is so much a part of this area. There is a conglomeration of cultures and gastric influences in south Florida: native Seminole, Spanish, English, Bahamian, Cuban, Puerto Rican and more recently Haitian. This book captures those influences beautifully (well, maybe not the Haitian). Mangoes, guavas, pineapple, pork, shrimp, spicy peppers, and black beans. This book is full of them, and they're the flavors that I love.

I'm a fan of chipotle, and this is a recipe I'd love to try. I already have a delicious chipotle-black bean recipe that I enjoy, but this would be a nice hot, cheesy version:


Black Bean-Chipotle Dip with Fresh Tortilla Chips

1 package (8) 8-inch flavored flour tortillas
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped sweet onions, like Vidalia
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup diced plum tomatoes
1/3 cup bottled picante sauce
1/2 tsp chipotle chile powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 (15-0z) can black beans, drained
1 tbs fresh key lime juice
1/4 cup finely shredded Colby Monterey Jack cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut each tortilla into 8 wedges. Place tortilla wedges on ungreased baking sheet. Toast in oven for 8-10 minutes, turning several times, until browned and crispy. Cool chips and store in an airtight container until needed.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and saute for 4 minutes or until tender.
3. Add diced tomatoes, picante sauce, chile powder, cumin and black beans. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until thick. Remove skillet from heat. Partially mash black bean mixture with the back of a wooden spoon or a potato masher.
4. Stir in lime juice. Add cheese and stir until it melts. Serve warm or at room temperature with crispy tortilla chips.

The only drawback with this book is its lack of pictures. I love pictures in cookbooks, but the recipes and food history makes up for the missing pictures. I can't wait to dive into this book!



My Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Referencing Friday: The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond

Synopsis

Paula Deen meets Erma Bombeck in The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Ree Drummond’s spirited, homespun cookbook. Drummond colorfully traces her transition from city life to ranch wife through recipes, photos, and pithy commentary based on her popular, award-winning blog, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, and whips up delicious, satisfying meals for cowboys and cowgirls alike made from simple, widely available ingredients. The Pioneer Woman Cooks—and with these "Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl," she pleases the palate and tickles the funny bone at the same time.

My Thoughts

I became a fan of Pioneer Woman some months ago when I happened upon her blog one day. I've enjoyed her humor, the glimpses into her life, her children and the handsome Marlboro Man that she married. And now I am enjoying her first book The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl. More than just a cookbook, this book gives you a look into daily life on a working cattle ranch. Full of photographs that she has taken of her family, cattle and bits of her homelife, and stories of how she fell in love with a rancher, her "Pesky Brother-in-Law Tim", and little bits of information like "The Difference Between Chaps and Chinks", this book is a feast, both visually and gastronomically. I can't wait to try the recipe for Pico de Gallo (I've been on a Pico de Gallo kick for months now. I don't know why!) I'm also eager to try the recipe for Spicy Pulled Pork and Sherried Tomato Soup. And the Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce looks divine!

Pioneer Woman was also recently spotlighted in People magazines special Country edition. In it she shared a few recipes from her new cookbook. Here is her recipe for Sangria (great for the weekend!):

Sangria
Makes about 3 liters

2 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into cubes
1 cup green seedless grapes
1 cup red seedless grapes
2 cups pineapple chunks
1 small unpeeled orange, thinly sliced
2 unpeeled lemons, thinly sliced
2 unpeeled limes, thinly sliced
1.5 liter red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir), chilled
1.5 liter dry white wine (such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio), chilled
1 cup orange-flavored rum
1 cup orange-flavored vodka
1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Chop up all of the fruit you'd like. Any fruit is permissible.
   
2. Place the fruit in a large container.
3. Next, start pouring in the liquids.
4. To add a bit of sweetness, dissolve the sugar in 1 cup water and add it to the mix.
5. Stir well, then cover and refrigerate for several hours, giving the fruit and liquids time to meld. Serve in glasses over ice, and have tongs nearby so guests can help themselves to the fruit, which is a hugely delicious treat.

Normally I don't rate my reference books, but this one is just too good not to "rate". This book is destined to become one of my favorite cookbooks. I love the humor and warmth with which it is written, and the only drawbacks that I can see are the lack of nutritional information (which I always appreciate) and the lack of less "hearty" fare (since I'm trying to get myself eating more healthfully once again, and this book is a little heavy on the richness and fat that I need to avoid). Otherwise I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cookbook!



My Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Referencing Friday (09-18-09 edition)

Most Loved Treats, Company's Coming by Jean Pare

Some of the sweetest recipes by Company's Coming take the spotlight in Most Loved Treats. This beautiful, full-colour cookbook invites you to enjoy the authentic taste of homemade treats and desserts, perfectly chosen for busy rush hour mornings, after-school cravings or elegant dinner affairs. Included in this time-honoured collection of more than 80 recipes are freezer-friendly recipes, holiday treats, glazes, fillings, icings and sauces. Also featured in recipe sidebars are helpful tips, informative notes, variation suggestions and decorating tips.

I bought this on clearance at B&N. I haven't had time to try out any of the recipes yet, but look forward especially to trying the Lemon Crunch bars:

Lemon Crunch
page 90

Bottom Layer

1 1/3 cups Crushed soda crackers
3/4 cup Hard margarine (or butter), softened
3/4 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 cup Granulated sugar
1/2 cup Medium unsweetened coconut
1 tsp Baking powder

Lemon Filling

3 Large eggs
1 cup Granulated sugar
1 Lemon, grated peel and juice
1/4 cup Hard margarine (or butter)

Bottom Layer: Combine all 6 ingredients in a medium bowl until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture firmly in ungreased 9 x 9 inch pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

Lemon Filling: Beat eggs in heavy medium saucepan or top of double boiler. Add remaining 3 ingredients. Heat and stir on medium until thickened. Spread evenly over crumb layer in pan. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown. Let stand in pan on wire rack until cool. Cut into 36 squares.

Per serving (1 square): 122 calories, 7.1g Total Fat (2.1g Sat Fat), 18 mg Cholesterol, 14g Carbohydrate, trace Fiber, 1g Protein, 120 mg Sodium.

Referencing Friday (09-11-09 edition)

Beastly Abodes: Home for Birds, Bats, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife by Bobbe Needham

Barnes and Noble didn't have a real synopsis for this book, but this is a favorite of mine. I love this book so much that I bought a copy for my brother.

Beastly Abodes is filled with do-it-yourself projects that you can build to lure wildlife to your yard. From bird houses to bat houses to toad houses, this is a great way to get started!

Referencing Friday (08-28-09 edition)

Total Critter Control: An Essential Guide to Controlling Any Sort of Critter, from the Merely Pesky to the Outright Dangerous by Don Sedgwick

From the Back Cover
Critters are everywhere. From remote homesteads at the edge of the forest to the split-levels of suburban subdivisions, no property lines are safe from animal or insect invasion.

Most critter encounters are mere nuisances - deer nibbling garden plants, squirrels munching seeds from the bird feeder, or raccoons knocking over the trash can. Yet even these common encounters are potentially dangerous. Deer may be infested with the tick that transmits Lyme disease. Squirrels may chew and damage electrical wiring. And raccoons may carry rabies, distemper or other illnesses.

How does a homeowner cope? Total Critter Control gathers in one comprehensive volume advice from numerous experts who offer the wisdom of their vast and varied experience. Fully illustrated with photographs and line drawings throughout, it provides detailed information on elimination methods that are not only effective, but also safe, legal, and humane. With helpful lists of deterrent products and where to find them, as well as how to contact helpful organizations, Total Critter Control is a must-have handbook for anyone who wants to learn how to peacefully coexist with critters.

My Thoughts

This book is invaluable for any homeowner. Unfortunately people are very quick to trap and relocate wildlife when they encounter it around their home, not realizing that many of these animals do not survive after they are relocated. The kindest and most humane thing to do is to try to outsmart them. This book helps you do that.

BTW, if you wish to learn more, I wrote a post awhile back about relocating wildlife on another of my blogs: Just Me Spouting Off

* Publisher: Globe Pequot Press
* Pub. Date: June 2003
* ISBN-13: 9781585744794
* 288pp

Referencing Friday (08-21-09 edition)

When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough by Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics knows: there are two types of people in the world—those able to fix whatever goes bust, and those who beg the first group for help when something goes wrong. But it doesn’t have to be that way, because this easy-to-follow guide will give anyone the basics to tackle those frustrating (and sometimes nerve-wracking) quandaries that crop up around the house: plumbing problems, electrical snafus, appliance failures, computer and electronics breakdowns, pest infestations, and furniture in need of renewal. They range from the serious to the merely annoying, but every one is cause for concern. So, whether the issue is a fast repair for a running toilet or a leaking pipe, or a simple, inexpensive way to keep deer from pillaging the garden, it’s all in here.

My Thoughts
This little book is great for the single woman who is responsible for all those little things that can go wrong around the home. I like the first paragraph of this book:

There are two types of people in the world: those who know what to do when something gets busted and those who are always asking the first group for help. We offer this book as a survival manual to anyone who's in the second group-- after reading it, you may just end up in the first!

The book's chapters are: Tool Tips, Maintenance and Cleaning Clues, Structural Quandries, Electrical Snafus, Perplexing Plumbing, Appliance Failures, Refurbishing Furniture and Yard and Garden Dilemmas.

As the back cover indicates, this book will teach you how to handle clogged gutters, broken windows, frozen door locks, hairline cracks in walls, mysterious leaks, flickering fluorescent lights, and much, much more.




Each chapter has a highlighted "tab" to indicate what it covers. There is a box highlighting the issue, and then the "quick fix", along with illustrations.












Here's a tip I never would have thought of:

You're right in the middle of preparing that big Thanksgiving feast, when your kitchen sink chokes on all of the grease that you've been allowing to go down the drain.

The Quick Fix: Use a heating pad wrapped around the drain trap (or a hair dryer if you're willing to hold it there) until the metal becomes hot. This will melt the grease and allow you to flush it away with a running stream of hot water.

How clever is that?! I'm unlikely to have that problem, as I don't pour grease down my sink, but very clever idea! This book is just full of little tidbits like that!

Before you know it, I'm gonna be a queen of repairs and maintenance!

* Publisher: Hearst Books
* Pub. Date: November 2007
* ISBN-13: 9781588165657
* 216pp

Referencing Friday: The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook (08-14-09 edition)

The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook by Tosca Reno

Tosca Reno is not only a health and fitness expert, but also a fabulous cook. Who better to write a stunning cookbook that everyone will love? Get: * 150 beautiful food photographs * Delectable low-fat beef, pork, chicken and fish dinners * Protein-rich meat-free recipes * Gluten-free meals * Tips on eating clean in difficult situations * Timesaving one-dish meals for busy moms * Great recipes on the go * How to prepare an elegant clean-eating event.


My Thoughts

I bought this book in an airport on my way to a conference. I used to eat pretty healthy. Then I got into a relationship with someone who loved comfort food. Five years and 30 pounds later, I want to get back to my healthy eating again. This book is a tool to help in that. I haven't tried too many recipes yet, but I am really looking forward to a bunch of them, like:

• Caledon Baked Oatmeal
  
• Swiss Muesli
  
• Breakfast Fruit and Nut Cookies
  
• Wild Rice Summer Salad
  
• No-Cook Best-Ever Applesauce
  
• Vegetarian Chili
  
• Low-Fat Turkey Burgers
  
• Apricot and Chicken Curry a la Rene
  
• Stuffed Peppers
  
• Spaghetti with Pesto Sauce
  
• Tofu Chocolate Mousse
  
• Blueberry Crumble

Here's a recipe from the book for Molasses Bread Pudding:

4 cups Ezekial bread, cubed (raisin bread is a good choice)
1/4 cup dried currants
1/4 cup dark sultana raisins
1/4 cup silvered raw almonds
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup molasses
Sea salt
2 cups low-fat soymilk (or any milk that you have on hand)
Cooking Spray

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a loaf pan with cooking spray.
   
2. Place bread cubes in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle dried fruits and almonds over bread cubes. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, molasses and salt. Whisk well.
   
3. Transfer milk to medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk slowly into egg mixture. Pour over bread mixture in loaf pan.
   
4. Place loaf pan in shallow water bath and bake for one hour or until the bread mixture begins to look brown and the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat. Serve hot. (Makes 8 servings)
   

Serving Tip: Serve with yogurt and fresh berries. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Nutritional value per serving:
Calories: 153, Protein: 4g, Carbs: 26g, Dietery Fiber: 2g, Sugars: 15g, Fat: 3g, Sodium: 86mg

* Publisher: Robert Kennedy Publishing
* Pub. Date: September 2007
* ISBN-13: 9781552100448
* 344pp

Referencing Friday (08-07-09 edition)

Compost: The Gardener's Essential Compost and Recycling Bible by Kenneth Thompson

The most practical book that all gardeners have been waiting for, this fun and informative guide shows how to make the best compost using ingredients that are easily found around the house.

My Thoughts

In this economy, so many people are trying to cut corners everywhere they can. Many people are opting to do backyard gardening to save on their food bills. Composting is not only a great way to help you grow a healthy garden to fee your family, but it is a great way to lower your garbage waste. You wouldn't believe the things that you can compost! Here's a link to 163 Things You Can Compost.

This book covers the basics of compost: what it is, how to make it, the different types of compost bins, how to use compost.

Thanks to this book, I now have my own compost that is cooking. If you wanted to learn more about compost, this book is a good choice.

* Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
* Pub. Date: February 2007
* ISBN-13: 9780756613419
* 192pp

Referencing Friday (07-31-09 edition)

The Best of America's Test Kitchen: The Year's Best Recipes, Equipment Reviews, and Tastings 2007

This volume represents the best of the best from America’s most famous test kitchen. Every year, our editors and cooks develop nearly 1,000 recipes for our magazines, books, and public television show. The Best of America’s Test Kitchen contains our absolute favorite recipes from the past year. Come share our successes (and learn about some interesting failures) in this book packed with step-by-step photographs, opinionated equipment and ingredient recommendations, and common-sense information that will make you a better cook. Following are just a few things we learned in our test kitchen this year.

A "PUDDING" MIXTURE MAKES THE MOISTEST CAKE. For a layer cake that’s extra-chocolaty and super-moist, add a homemade pudding mix (unsweetened chocolate, cocoa, and sugar cooked with a little water) to the batter.

YES, YOU CAN BUY A DECENT inexpensive STEAK. Our expert tasters sampled 12 inexpensive supermarket cuts and found two that can rival any fancy steak.

GELATIN IS THE SECRET TO GREAT MEAT LOAF. Forget about buying three kinds of ground meat. You can use only beef—and get tender results—by adding a pinch of gelatin.

Sometimes the Cheaper Pan Is The Best Option. Our equipment testers set out to compile a list of must-have pots and pans for any kitchen and in the process learned that the high-priced brands are not always the best.

You’ll find many other equipment tests throughout the book, on everything from hand blenders and deep fryers to vegetable peelers and meat pounders.

For the best chicken ever, poke holes in the skin (so fat can escape) and rub the bird with cornstarch. The result is an extra-crisp coating that’s almost crunchy.

My Thoughts

I'm a big fan of America's Test Kitchen. I mean, these people will spend weeks trying to find how to make the best fried chicken.

I've already made the Roasted Garlic Potatoes (and got rave reviews over them!), and am still waiting to try out some more recipes, like Sugar-Glazed Roasted Carrots, Skillet Baked Ziti, Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce, Glazed All-Beef Meatloaf, Roast Pork Tenderloin with Lowfat Apple and Sage Cream Sauce, Crispy Roast Chicken and Potatoes, Creole Crab Cakes with Quick Remoulade Sauce, Baked Cod with Crunchy Lemon-Herb Topping, Lemon Pound Cake and Individual Sticky Toffee Pudding Cakes. But for now, I've only tried out the Roasted Garlic Potatoes. Here's the recipe.

Roasted Garlic Potatoes

2 pounds red potatoes (6 medium), cut into 1-inch wedges

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

1/8 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1. Adjust an oven rack to the highest position, place a rimmed baking sheet on the rack, and heat the oven to 450 degrees.
   
2. Toss the potatoes, cornstarch, garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Carefully remove the preheated baking sheet from the oven, add the oil, and tilt to evenly coat with the oil. Place the potatoes cut-side down in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast until browned around the edges, about 30 minutes.
   
3. Meanwhile, mix the butter, garlic, parsley, and zest together in a medium bowl. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and, using a metal spatula, turn the potatoes skin-side down. Roast until the potatoes are crisp and deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
   
4. Transfer the potatoes to the bowl with the butter mixture and toss until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Note: Do not be tempted to turn the potatoes more than the recipe indicates-- they will not become crispy or brown properly.



As I said, I got rave reviews, especially from my boyfriend. They were yummy!

• Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
  
• Pub. Date: September 2006
  
• ISBN-13: 9781933615097
  
• 312pp

Referencing Friday (07-24-09 edition)

The Complete Book for Backyard Bird Lovers: Everything you need to know about attracting and feeding birds in your yard by Sally Roth

Synopsis

Let The Complete Book for Backyard Bird Lovers be your guide to the foods and feeders, plants and projects that will guarantee you a yard absolutely brimming with birds! You'll learn about the birds themselves and what their behaviors mean. You'll find tricks for keeping birdfeeding affordable, and you'll find out how to make your yard a safe haven for the birds that live in your area as well as for those passing through.

The A-to-Z bird feeder's guide features all of your favorite topics, with entries as diverse as baby birds and binoculars to tray feeders and water features. You'll discover ways to attract birds in every season and in every kind of weather, and you'll learn which plants to choose to grow your own bird-welcoming landscape.

The easy-to-use field guide lets you pinpoint which birds you'll find in your region and introduces you to the 40 birds that are so common, so abundant, and so widespread that they may show up anywhere across the continent. Learn how to identify birds in a flash, then confirm your good guess by checking details of looks, voice, and behavior in more than 175 individual bird profiles. Soon you'll be looking forward to the next visitor that wings its way into your backyard.

My Thoughts

This great book is setup like an encyclopedia. There is an alphabetized Contents section at the beginning, and it is a wealth of information that covers just about everything you can think of: backyard birds, plants that attract birds, garden pests, special food mixes for various birds, how to setup an inviting environment for birds, and tons more of information.

And best of all, you can get this book on clearance from Barnes and Noble. Order it online for $5.99!

# Pub. Date: December 2008
# ISBN-13: 9780641966958
# 704pp

Referencing Friday (07-17-09 edition)

I have a huge collection of "reference" books: cookbooks, gardening, ethnobotany, crafts, DIY, etc. I've decided that it's time to tackle these books, which don't really require a "real" review. So I will be "reviewing" or "introducing" one each Friday, known now as "Referencing Friday".

Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples by Nancy J. Turner

Synopsis

'Food Plants of Coastal First People' describes more that 100 plants used for food by the aboriginal peoples of coastal British Columbia. Each description contains botanical details and a color photograph to help identify the plant, as well as information on the plant's habitat, its distribution along the coast and how it was used.

This is a great resource for anyone in the NW area who is seeking to learn more about edible native plants. It is for the British Columbia area, but I found it useful for Western WA and the Olympic Mountains as well.

It includes scientific name, common names, botanical description, habitat, distribution in B.C. and Aboriginal use. An image is also included for each plant. This was one of my favorite books when I lived in WA.

# Publisher: University of Washington Press
# Pub. Date: January 2007
# ISBN-13: 9780772656278
# 164pp