Illustrated History of the Herbals or Sparks in the Kitchen

Illustrated History of the Herbals

Author: Frank J Anderson

This book is a fascinating and beautifully illustrated history of herbal texts throughout the world from ancient cultures through the seventeenth century.

A "herbal" by definition is a book that is descriptive of plants and the term did not come into use until the sixteenth century. The production of herbals is closely connected to the history of early printing and offers the finest examples of this art and craft. However, the earliest records of ancient Egypt, Sumer and China all reflect a tradition of works of botanicals and their medicinal properties long before printing. The author's survey begins with a work called "De materia medica" written in the first century which is still extant and as the final authority on pharmacy for 1500 years is the most important herbal ever written.

The study of herbals offers a rich history of the culture and beliefs from the folklore and science of medieval and classical worlds.

See also: Macroeconomia per oggi

Sparks in the Kitchen

Author: Katy Sparks

From Katy Sparks, who dazzled a devoted clientele at her restaurant Quilty’s in New York City, here is a wonderfully creative collection of recipes and culinary wisdom. It is a book for people who love to cook, enabling you to put to work in your own kitchen the secrets and inspirations a gifted chef can offer, particularly one who now cooks at home for her own family.

From snacks, small plates, and cocktails to relishes and desserts, Sparks makes it clear that good ingredients are all-important. So she offers guidelines on what to buy seasonally, how best to judge freshness, and how to store foods effectively. She loves to combine flavors in unexpected ways, utilizing a wide range of spices and coaxing the essence from fresh herbs and zests.

Whether she is detailing a dramatic dish to start off a special dinner, such as her Oysters in Gewürztraminer Cream (crowned with a nest of crispy fried leeks) or the playful Middle Eastern–inspired creation Spiced Lamb Meatballs in Eggplant “Leaves,” or a simple, satisfying family meal like Grilled Chicken in Marjoram Marinade or Pork Chops Smothered in Lentils, she encourages the home cook to be creative. As she guides you through a recipe, you will learn invaluable lessons: what makes a good soup, ways to keep meat tender and juicy, foolproof methods of grilling a whole fish and roasting a chicken, keys to successful deep-frying. And sidebars like “Leftover Alert” and “Weighing Your Options” encourage you to improvise with leftovers, experiment with interesting substitutes, and create delicious accompaniments.

A pat of one of her compound butters, a splash of herhomemade flavored vinegar, or a dollop of her Papaya-Ginger Salsa or Onion-Sage Confit might contribute to the sparkle that makes each finished dish so delicious. Try her Sesame-Roasted Green Beans, Coconut-Simmered Fingerling Potatoes, or Beet Pickled Eggs dipped in Spice-Seasoned Salt for revelations in flavor.

And, if there’s still room, a Sparks dessert is not to be missed. Three different pots de crème, chocolate bread pudding, apple tarts, raspberry tarts, maple tuile cookies, and Mohr im Hemd (individual souffléd cakes drenched in dark chocolate) are among the family favorites gathered here.

Above all, Katy Sparks shares the fun and drama of cooking, interweaving stories from her childhood on a Vermont farm and her odyssey from college dropout to star chef. The kitchen is where she feels most happily at home, and with this book to inspire you, so will you.

Publishers Weekly

Sparks's food looks comfortably rustic, corresponding to her childhood on a Vermont farm, occasional visits to Germany and a move to New York, where she opened Quilty's, a SoHo restaurant that felt like a country inn (it closed after 9/11). The chef's hallmark is combining flavors and textures in unexpected ways; hence, there's papaya in her Gazpacho, ground star anise and coriander in a Seasonal Country Salad, and chilled cucumbers against hot scallops in Seared Sea Scallops on a Cool Cucumber, Sesame, and Dill Sauce. Sparks is no fusspot, advising readers "have fun and don't sweat the details." For example, in the recipe for Simple Roast Chicken, she notes, "Chicken is a perfect vehicle for experimentation," so try stuffing the bird with a half a lemon, a sprig of herbs, a few mushroom stems-anything that'll release flavor and aroma. Most of the 160 dishes featured can go fancy or casual; a perfect example is Smoked Trout Tartare with Cucumber, Feta, and Dill, which can be "dressed down with a beer or gussied up with a glass of sparking wine." Sparks's family features prominently in the essays and recipe introductions, adding to the homey, casual feel of this handsome volume. Photos. (Jan. 6) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Sparks has cooked at a number of well-known New York City restaurants and was chef at Quilty's in Soho for five years, where she gained a loyal following; she is now culinary director of Balducci's gourmet retail markets. In this very personal cookbook, she presents the food she likes to cook at home for family and friends, recipes that do not require a brigade of sous-chefs but that do reflect her perspective and experience as a chef; among these recipes are Roasted Black Mussels with Almond-Garlic-Thyme Butter, Kabocha Squash Soup with Lemongrass and Ginger, and Venison with Fox Grape Poivrade. Her recipe instructions are very reader-friendly, and she provides a lot of information in an unintimidating way. Her cookbook will appeal to ambitious home cooks and, of course, fans of her restaurants. For area libraries and other larger collections. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.