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Essential Mediterranean Cookbook
Thunder Bay Books
ISBN 1-57145-977-4
Published August 2003 - Hardcover - 304 pages - $19.98

This is another book in the Essential Cookbook series and is just as much a delight as are the others.  Mediterranean cuisine has long influenced our modern day eating and cooking.  Food from Mediterranean countries like Italy, France, Spain, Greece, North Africa, and more are included.  Under the Greek chapter you'll find traditional dishes such as Tzatziki (cucumber and yogurt dip), Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), Taramosalata (fish roe puree), and Moussaka, among many other dishes.  Most cuisines have meat, fish, tapas, and vegetable dishes which are varied and mouthwatering.  Turkish food dishes include Zucchini Patties, Skewered Swordfish, and Turkish Delight which is a delicately flavored sweet or dessert.  Under the Italian chapter there is a section on how to make your own pasta (I've just bought myself a pasta machine) and there's nothing quite like fresh pasta.  They also tell us how to make pizza and my favorite, Cannoli.  In the French chapter they include dressings and sauces which are handy to be able to whip up, as well as the famous Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic.  From Spain we get Escabeche (pickled fried fish) and Tapas.  From North Africa, which includes Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, we have Orange and Date Salad, Vegetable Couscous among many others.  The Middle East offers Falafel, Tabbouleh, Baba Ghanouj, and Carrot and Coriander Soup.  I like the introduction to Mediterranean Food at the beginning of the book as well as an explanation of the various cheeses, legumes, and other unique items from these regions.  Very interesting.  The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with a rich assortment of classic dishes from around these famous parts of the world.
Essential Mediterranean Cookbook may be purchased and/or ordered through your local bookstore.
Conclusion - A wonderful book to have for your own kitchen or to give as a gift.