Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Japanese Foods That Heal or Do It for Less Parties

Japanese Foods That Heal: Using Traditional Ingredients to Promote Health, Longevity, and Well-Being

Author: John Bellem

A comprehensive and authoritative guide to the healing powers of Japanese foods, this book includes an in-depth look at over seventeen traditional ingredients, including miso, shiitake, toasted sesame oil, tofu, amazake, and seitan. Each food item is given its own chapter, which includes a detailed discussion of the nutritional and medicinal benefits, how to make it or buy it, cooking with it, and recipes featuring it. This book also features a pronunciation guide, which is great for ordering from restaurants or shops, and a guide to composing meals.



Book about: Java Junkie Little Gift Book or Maran Illustrated Cooking Basics

Do It for Less! Parties: Tricks of the Trade from Professional Caterers' Kitchens

Author: Denise Vivaldo

Many people can handle throwing a party for 8 or 10 people, but how many can successfully negotiate the trials of entertaining 25 or 50? Do It for Less! Parties has all the tools you need to plan efficiently and entertain flawlessly when cooking for a crowd. Packed with quantity recipes for 12, 25, 50, or 75 friends and family, this combination party cookbook, decorating guide, and entertaining primer shows today’s savvy hostess how to do it for less time and do it for less money without sacrificing one’s sanity or style.

The first half of the book focuses on the logistics of quantity cooking. It’s brimming with estimating guides, catering resources, and conversion charts that are useful for the professional caterer and home entertainer alike. The second half provides nine complete menus with 65 twice-tested, quantity recipes. All the menus include complete shopping lists in each quantity, a menu countdown, decoration ideas, and specific tips for shaving costs, time, and stress from your preparation schedule.

Library Journal

Party procrastinators need no longer hesitate-this cookbook/party planner removes the guesswork and anxiety from throwing their own shindig. Along with food stylist Cindie Flannigan and cookbook author Martha Hopkins (InterCourses), Vivaldo, a professional caterer for more than 20 years, has designed nine full menus for 12, 25, 50, and 75 guests. Menu themes include "Asian Inspiration," "Arabian Nights," and "On-the-Beach Luau," with dishes ranging from Egg Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce to Marrakech Chicken, all of which are simple to make. For each menu and party size, Vivaldo provides a shopping list of ingredients that can be purchased well in advance and another for last-minute purchases of perishable items. In addition to recipes, there are time-saving techniques, money-saving ideas, and proposals for advance preparation. Table coverings, equivalent charts, glossaries of cheese and wine, and, most important, food and kitchen safety are also highlighted. Featuring full-color tables and contrasting sidebars, the layout is eminently readable. Additional photos of finished meals would have added to the book's appeal, but this is a small flaw. Highly recommended for all public librares.-Ann Weber, Bellarmine Coll. Prep. Lib., San Jose, CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.



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