Spice it Up!

Indian Family Kitchen

Classic Dishes for a New Generation

by Anjali Pathak

When I used to live in the East Village, NYC, I lived walking distance to "Curry Row."  You'd walk by, minding your own worries of the day, and the spicy flavorful aromas wafting through the air would beckon you.   Ease your mind and nourish your body with hope.   I didn't know much beyond the basics of tandoori this, vindaloo that so I made a point of trying a different restaurant each time.  

I rarely cook Indian food at home because I don't know how, or where to start.  Anjali Pathak to the rescue.  The photos are colorful, mouthwatering and bold.  I love her kitchen shortcuts and "My Secret" tips as we all have those days where we need cooking to be a cool summer breeze.  This cookbook is not for timid or bland palates.   Most of the recipes call for a liberal use of spice.  A few ingredients like curry leaves are hard to find, but most can be found at your local supermarket.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Koreatown

Koreatown is more than a cookbook.  Sure, there are plenty of recipes including recipes for those tasty banchan you can never get enough of.  Finally, I make that killer potato salad because I know the secret is to use some Biofeel or Yakuit yogurt drink.

But it's also a travelogue.  I now know where I must eat next in Atlanta, New York, Chicago. Heirloom  Market BBQ, save me a brisket!  There's a section where guest chefs like Hugh Acheson, Edward Kim, Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook, Paul Qui, and Eric Ripert contribute a favorite recipe with Korean flavors.  You see how Korean food is expansive and inclusive.    There's a section on drinks and sweets.   I especially enjoyed learning more about makgeolli, a drink I first sampled at Madangsui in NYC.

There are interludes where famous people like Jonathan Gold, Adam Johnson, Andrew Zimmern and Andy Milonakis weigh in and share their passions for Korean food.   A lot of name dropping as if that enhances the pleasure of experiencing Korean cuisine.

Laughed when I read the tips on "how not to piss off your neighbors"   Every once in a while, the power goes out and neighbors offer space in their refrigerator.  They love it because I have Asian refrigerator -- a syndrome where every nook and cranny in my refrigerator is jam-packed -- and I share my goodies.  In the interest of keeping my neighbors friends, however, I'm always afraid to hand over the kimchi and fermented foods b/c of the odors.  

Here's my kimchi marinade

Three containers of hot Persian cucumbers.

This book is for anyone interested in Korean food.  Everyone will learn something from this book.  Now for the disclosure:  I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

iHeart Your Heart

Love your heart, and your heart will love you back.  The American Heart Association has just released its 5th edition cookbook (Formerly titled American Heart Association Low-Fat Low- Cholesterol Cookbook) to help you eat and live well.  

Healthy Fats, Low Cholesterol Cookbook offers you healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods without sacrificing taste.   For example, instead of a pastry crust for that chicken pot pie, the AHA suggests mashed potatoes.  Broiling the eggplant for eggplant parm and using some tofu and egg whites to supplement the low-fat cheese increases the protein and reduces the fat.  For those of you with a sweet tooth, no worries, you will find recipes for desserts that hit all the sweet notes.  Desserts like chocolate mini-cheesecakes, banana foster plus, strawberries romanoff.  

This cookbook also includes several helpful appendices.  One is on healthy cooking strategies emphasizing high flavor and low fat.  Another is one healthy shopping strategies and gives tips on how to read labels.  Other appendices include recognizing risk factors and warning signs. And of course, since most of us dine out now and then, the appendix on healthy dining out strategies is most appreciated.

Eating well is easier than ever with this updated cookbook.  Each recipe lists per serving nutrition so you can fully commit to a lifestyle that helps you live long and prosper.

I received this cookbook from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.