Hippocrene Books

This cookbook explores the fascinating story of the deep and lasting influences that Islamic culture has left on modern Spanish cooking. 

Muslims first invaded the Iberian peninsula in 711 CE, crossing the narrow straits from North Africa and taking over most of what would become the country of Spain. The newly-conquered land initially under the caliphate of Damascus, was called al-Andalus and at one time covered almost the entire Iberian peninsula.

At his palace of Medina Azahar around 950 CE, the Caliph of Córdoba dined on refined dishes of almond cream, lamb cooked with spices, eggplant stuffed with meat and scented with cinnamon, and carrot salad with sprigs of mint. The kingdoms of al-Andalus lasted eight centuries, ending in 1492 with the fall of Granada. Islamic culture left a deep mark on the country that became Spain—on language, science, literature and most certainly on cuisine.

Author and Spanish cooking expert Janet Mendel tells the story of the Moorish influence on Spanish cooking through 120 recipes for modern-day dishes, from salads and vegetables to fish, poultry and meat to sweets and pastries, that trace their heritage to foods served in medieval times. Dishes from this era include exotic spices such as saffron, the use of fruits and almonds with savory dishes, and honeyed sweets and pastries. The flavors of al-Andalus live on in modern Spanish cooking and are what makes Spain’s cuisine distinctive from the rest of Europe.

Sample recipes:

• White Gazpacho with Grapes (Ajo Blanco con Uvas)
• Spinach with Raisins and Pine Nuts (Espinacas con Pasas y Piñones)
• Fried Eggplant with Molasses (Berenjena Frita con Miel de Caña)
• Monkfish with Raisins and Pine Nuts (Rape al Mozarabe)
• Chicken in Almond-Saffron Sauce (Pollo en Pepitoria)
• Lamb Stew with Artichokes (Cordero con Alcachofas)
• Almond Cream Pudding (Sopa de Almendras)
• Marzipan Rings (Melindres)

Latin Twist is the first book to celebrate the signature cocktails of 18 Latin American countries and Spain in one volume!

The award-winning food bloggers from Muy Bueno and Sweet Life have teamed up to create this all-new collection of Latin-American cocktails. Yvette and Vianney's cocktails—featuring fresh-squeezed juices and homemade mixers—have been so popular that they’ve decided to devote a whole book to them!
 
Latin Twist delves into the history of each country’s special ingredients, wines and liquors, and includes traditional drinks as well as the authors’ original recipes. Try a luscious Passion Fruit Caipirinha from Brazil, Chile’s fruity Borgoña, or Peru's classic Pisco Sour.
 
Whether you are hosting a holiday get-together or backyard fiesta, there is a drink in this book for every occasion. Clear instructions and gorgeous color photos make it easy to mix up a glass or pitcher of crowd-pleasing cocktails.

Includes:

• 97 recipes with a chapter for each country
• Brief historical facts about the alcohols used in each countr
• Charming illustrated cocktail map
• “Setting the Bar” guide for at-home bartending
• Gorgeous color photography throughout

Latin Twist: Traditional & Modern Cocktails is an Foreword Review INDIES Finalist!

Back in print in a new illustrated edition with color photographs!  Giovanna Bellia La Marca guides readers through the wealth of local delights in Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy famous for its gastronomic offerings.

The Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy is home to several of the world’s most renowned gastronomic cities—the capital, Bologna, has given its name to the famed Bolognese sauce; from Parma comes exquisite prosciutto, the best-known pork product of Italy; Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese has been made in Parma and Reggio-Emilia for over 700 years; and Modena has been producing unrivaled balsamic vinegar for centuries. This culinary heartland is also well-known for its delicate homemade pastas.

Giovanna Bellia La Marca (author of Sicilian Feasts and host of YouTube’s “Kitchen on the Cliff” cooking show) takes readers on a personally-guided tour through the culinary landscape of this beautiful Italian region. From homemade tagliatelle noodles with a rich, hearty Bolognese Ragú, to unique desserts like Torta Ferrarese, a confection made with fresh egg noodles layered with almonds, sugar, and butter that hails from the town of Ferrera, home chefs will fall in love with the classic Italian fare presented in these 140 recipes.

A section on cooking techniques teaches the correct way to peel chestnuts, clean leeks, soak dried beans, and much more. Also included are guides to the wines of the region and Italian ingredients, a resource section with specialty retailers, and a bibliography. Along the way, La Marca reminisces about her favorite meals, people, and places in Emilia-Romagna, sharing a true taste of the region with readers.

Sample recipes:

• Fritelle di Castagna (Chestnut Fritters)

• Cavoli alla Romagnola  (Savoy Cabbage Romagna Style)

• Ragu’ Romagnolo di Lugo (Meat Sauce From Lugo)

• Polenta con Funghi  (Polenta with Mushrooms)

• Ossobuco alla Romagnola (Ossobuco in the style of Romagna)

• Pollo Ripeno di Castagne (Chestnut-stuffed Chicken)

• Brodetto (The Classic Fish Stew of Romagna)

• Salsa Zabaglione (Zabaglione Sauce)

• Classico Ragu’ Bolognese (Classic Bolognese Sauce)

 • Torta Ferrarese  (Fresh Noodle Cake from Ferrara)

• Crostata di Albicocche  (Apricot Tart)

“… a superbly presented collection of rich, lip-smacking treats offering a festival of taste and exploration for adventurous dining.”—The Midwest Book Review

Now available in an illustrated edition with new recipes and color photos!

In this new third edition, La Marca adds a number of popular Sicilian recipes that have been featured on YouTube on the popular “Pasta Grannies” channel as well as on La Marca’s own cooking show, “Kitchen on the Cliff.”

Sample recipes:

• Omelet with Peas (Frittata ri priselli)
• Rice Balls (Arancini)
• Stuffed Artichokes (Carciuofuli cini)
• Handmade Pasta (Causunedda)
• Fennel and Orange Salad (Finuocci e aranci a ‘nzalata)
• Roasted Leg of Lamb (Coscia ri agnieddu arrustuta)
• Swordfish with Salmoriglio (Piscispada co’ salmurigliu)
• White Milk Pudding (Biancu manciari)
• Watermelon Dessert (Gelo di melone)

Rinku Bhattacharya combines her two great loves—Indian cooking and sustainable living—to give readers a simple, accessible way to cook seasonally, locally, and flavorfully. Inspired by the bounty of local produce, mostly from her own backyard, Rinku created these recipes for busy, time-strapped home cooks who want to blend Indian flavors into nutritious family meals.

Arranged in chapters from appetizers through desserts, Spices & Seasons includes everything from small bites, soups, seafood, meat and poultry, and vegetables, to condiments, breads, and sweets.

Included are more than 150 creative recipes with plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options; detailed sections on spices, ingredients, and utensils; and "green tips" for making your kitchen eco-friendly.

Sample recipes:

• Mango and Goat Cheese Mini Crisps
• Crisped Okra with Dry Spice Rub
• Red Harvest Masala Cornish Hens
• Black Bean, Corn and Nectarine Salad
• Sweet Potato Soup with Saffron, Sage and Nutmeg
• Smoky Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Puree
• Tandoori Spice Roasted Baby Potatoes with Mint
• Coastal Coconut and Tamarind Fish Curry
• Cardamom-Scented Beet Halwa

As exotic and enticing as these recipes sound, the ingredients are easily found and the instructions are simple. Rinku encourages readers to explore the bounty of their local farms and markets, and embrace the rich flavors of India to cook food that is nutritious, healthy, seasonal and most importantly, delicious.

“They are works of art that speak to the creative spirit that once stirred within a heart to carve a statue, to gather stones to build a foundation, or gather words to form a poem or mix colors for a painting; they are messages from the past telling what at one time was important to this person, to this village, to a city block.”—from the author’s Introduction

It is said that every country has its own genus loci or “spirit of place.” Poland’s distinct character can be found in the tens of thousands of roadside chapels, crosses and shrines that dot both its cities and countryside. A thousand years of Christianity, and the Polish Catholic tradition in particular, have left their mark on the country’s landscape. It is impossible not to notice the religious statues and little chapels that seem to be everywhere. Enter a courtyard in Warsaw or Kraków and discover a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary mounted on a pedestal with fresh flowers at her feet. Drive through a small town, and you’ll spy a niche under the eaves of a home containing a figure of the Sacred Heart of Jesus or a little wooden box on a tree holding a small image of Our Lady of Częstochowa. All of them seem to blend harmoniously with the environment and beautify it. What are these objects? What do they mean? How did they come to be in this particular place? Why are they important?

Acclaimed Polish-American author Sophie Hodorowicz Knab explores the origins and purposes of these roadside shrines, examining the different types of shrines and the significance of the various religious figures represented in them to the people of Poland. Additional chapters are devoted to the artists and sculptors who created the shrines, the role these local shrines played in the annual holidays, customs and traditions of the community, and their role in everyday life as well as death. Color photographs throughout depict the artistry and local setting of these shrines.

This exploration of Poland’s roadside shrines is a unique lens through which the reader can learn about Polish history and culture. For anyone interested in Polish history, religious traditions, art and ancestry, this book offers much to explore.