The Barcelona Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Life Review
We (my wife and I) collect cookbooks for many reasons, but you know you've hit the jackpot when a certain book is simultaneously fun to read with great stories; sprinkled with useful tips and hints throughout; contains photos that make you want to pluck the food off the pages to eat; inspires you; and, oh by the way, is full of delicious recipes that do not require a degree from Le Cordon Bleu or the Culinary Institute of America to prepare.
First and foremost, we think for a cookbook to deserve a decent rating, the recipes have to work. Everything we've tried has been scrumptious thus far. Each recipe is well laid out, starting with a short introduction on the dish. Ingredients for the recipe follow and are listed logically. Easy to understand steps that make sense for any average home cook follow the ingredients.
If your mouth is not watering by the time you're done reading the recipe for "Sherry-Braised Short Ribs with Autumn Vegetables" that starts on page 95, you may not have a pulse. Even someone who can barely boil water should be able to follow the recipe for "Albondigas" (Spanish for meatballs in tomato sauce) on page 110 and easily make succulent meatballs worthy of serving to any guest. The "Roasted Beets with Cabrales and Toasted Walnuts" cold tapas on page 31 is simplicity itself, but with a "secret" trick (using a certain type of vinegar to accentuate the beets) that make the dish transcendent. I could go on and on and on.
Beyond the well laid out recipes that work, the anecdotes in the book such as "The Meat Guy" (starting on page 158) are amusing and fun to read. We don't know this meat guy, Mark Berlin, but after reading about him, we know we want to meet him someday and get our meat from him.
Whether you cook or not, if you love food, this is a great book and a must have!
The Barcelona Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Life Overview
It's tapas with a Mediterranean and Latin twist. This 224-page treat celebrates food, wine, and entertainment that is the heartbeat of the lively yet completely warm and inviting famous Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar in Connecticut.
The Barcelona Cookbook is robust and gutsy, just like the establishment, and is oozing with good things. Alluring aromas, savory flavors, and good times are the main ingredients in this offering.
It brings the cosmopolitan soul of Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar home with 110 unbelievable recipes perfect for sharing with friends and family. Along with the interesting sidebars, recipes are nicely paired with wine suggestions, menu and party planning recommendations, and tips for applying restaurant tricks to the home kitchen.
A variety of both hot and cold tapas recipes are included. The outcome: a fabulous offering of mouthwatering dishes that are as rich and satisfying as the conversation around the table. The 175 beautiful photographs alone will convince you it's time for a party.
* Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar first opened in 1996 and now has six locations. This Connecticut favorite can be found in South Norwalk, Greenwich, Fairfield, West Hartford, Stamford, and New Haven.
* It is listed in Zagat's as one of "America's Top Restaurants."
* This is a celebration of the Mediterranean lifestyle with lively and joyful Latin flairs and influences. It's a book for people who love to cook, eat, learn, experiment, and share, and love to give their guests a truly unique experience.
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Customer Reviews
Beautiful cookbook, and I can vouch for the recipes even though this was not for me - 10 Frame - Charlotte, NC
I bought this as a gift for my mom, who is Argentinian. Barcelona is a restaurant with several locations in southern CT. I lived in CT and was a frequent visitor to their restaurants. Excellent food, and these recipes are straight from their menu.
Barcelona cookbook - SJ Lee-min - Boston
Barcelona review
What I like most about this book is that the recipes work. There are no crazy insane recipes that require an advanced degree in the culinary arts. I also finally found the best Patas Bravas and chimichurri sauce recipes. These are so common, but it's hard to find really good recipes like the one in this book. Even if you don't cook, the book is full of beautiful pictures and delicious stories so it's fun just to read as a collection of stories.
Simply Awesome - Bern -
As a patron of the awesome Barcelona Restaurants, I was happy to use their dishes into my cooking. This is a book that will not disappoint you! There are so many delicious recipes from hot to cold tapas to delicious cocktails to fabulous desserts! The book is a fun read and easy to use. Hands down this is a great book for anyone who likes to cook, eat and entertain!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 06, 2010 20:56:05
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