Recipes from America's Small Farms: Fresh Ideas for the Season's Bounty 
asked by pits on November 1, 2006 1:05 AM
Recipes from America’s Small Farms gathers the most exciting, original, and authentic recipes—using the freshest ingredients—from those who know best how to set a table anytime of the year. Favorite recipes from farmers across the country and members of Community Supported Agriculture—a national organization that facilitates direct farmer-to-consumer sales of produce—will inspire home cooks everywhere. Also included are recipes from high-profile chefs such as Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill), Peter Hoffman (Savoy), Roxanne Klein (Roxanne’s), and Kevin von Klause (White Dog Café).
Readers will find it easy to locate recipes, organized by food family, that call for the vegetables and fruits that are in season, readily available, and simple to use. Recipes like Creamy Turnip Soup; Heirloom Tomatoes with Fresh Herbs, Toasted Pine Nuts, and Tapenade Toast Points; Greek Zucchini Cakes; and Hiroko’s Fusion Choy with Tahini-Soy Dip give common produce exotic appeal.
The book includes a chapter on meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, and there are vegan recipes throughout. Each chapter provides details about the history, characteristics, and nutritional qualities of specific fruits and vegetables. Cooking techniques, useful sidebars, and a glossary make this book an indispensable resource.
Readers will find it easy to locate recipes, organized by food family, that call for the vegetables and fruits that are in season, readily available, and simple to use. Recipes like Creamy Turnip Soup; Heirloom Tomatoes with Fresh Herbs, Toasted Pine Nuts, and Tapenade Toast Points; Greek Zucchini Cakes; and Hiroko’s Fusion Choy with Tahini-Soy Dip give common produce exotic appeal.
The book includes a chapter on meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, and there are vegan recipes throughout. Each chapter provides details about the history, characteristics, and nutritional qualities of specific fruits and vegetables. Cooking techniques, useful sidebars, and a glossary make this book an indispensable resource.
Reviews
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This is one of the finest from-the-farm cookbooks I've seen-- for organization, for content, variety, and appeal. I love the way the book is set up: first the basics we all need to give fresh produce the t.l.c. it deserves, then the vegetable recipes by category: leaves, cabbages, the whole huge onion family, stalks and stems, seeds and pods, fruits treated like vegetables (tomatoes, for example), roots and tubers. There's even a chapter on fresh herbs. I find the recipes both unusual and irresistible and can't wait to try the Bruschetta with Braised Greens, the Wild Arugula Salad with Mushrooms, the Striped Bass and Scallops with Braised Cabbage and Germolata, the Onion Biscuits, and oh, so many more. This cookbook is not only a "keeper," it's one that stays on my kitchen counter. A TAR HEEL FOOD LOVER
reviewed by alec on November 1, 2006 7:14 PM
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This lovely cookbook lives up to its subtitle -- it's filled with all sorts of "fresh" and terrific ideas for making the most of seasonal vegetables and fruits. The recent publicity about obesity and American youngsters makes it clear that all parents (myself included) have to find enticing ways of teaching our kids to eat right. This book is loaded with ideas, and getting kids to understand that it's tastier and healthier to eat what's just been harvested -- instead of ripening on a truck or flash-frozen -- is important on any number of levels. This book isn't just for the dedicated vegetarian but for everyone. I've already tried a couple of recipes -- zucchini tacos and Swiss chard gratin-- and they were different and delicious.
It's fun to read too -- with info on every vegetable and fruit as well as all the different ways to clean, cook, and keep them fresh. I enjoyed the farmers' stories and was happy to learn about community-supported agriculture -- where people buy shares in the harvest. The book has spurred me on to join a local CSA-- community-supported agriculture is just what America needs.
It's fun to read too -- with info on every vegetable and fruit as well as all the different ways to clean, cook, and keep them fresh. I enjoyed the farmers' stories and was happy to learn about community-supported agriculture -- where people buy shares in the harvest. The book has spurred me on to join a local CSA-- community-supported agriculture is just what America needs.
reviewed by wellness on November 21, 2006 7:26 AM