Fiona Dunlop: Mexican Modern: New Food from Mexico
An overview of modern Mexican cuisine. Some of it is silly, some traditional and all of it at least worthy of your time. I wish these moderns would really focus on beans, chiles and corn as the foundation. I think their food would be even better.
Francis Mallmann: Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way
Yet another book on grilling. The Euro-Latin cuisine of Argentina is very appealing!
Mary Karlin: Wood-Fired Cooking: Techniques and Recipes for the Grill, Backyard Oven, Fireplace, and Campfire
I can't wait to get my copy! Mary teaches at the Ramekins school in Sonoma and i have a hunch this is going to be a great book.
Bruce Aidells: Bruce Aidells's Complete Book of Pork: A Guide to Buying, Storing, and Cooking the World's Favorite Meat
Re: Pork, this is where I'd start. I've never met a Bruce Aidell book I didn't end up loving.
Steve Sando: Heirloom Beans: Great Recipes for Dips and Spreads, Soups and Stews, Salads and Salsas, and Much More from Rancho Gordo
Frankly, the finest cookbook, nay BOOK, ever written by anyone, anywhere. I hate to be immodest but facts are facts and this book belongs in every home in the country. And beyond. Buy now and buy often! Please! (*****)
David Tanis: A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes
I was sure this was going to be too precious for words but I was dead wrong: this book is great. If Americans could understand the glory of simple, well-prepared food, we could start creating a national cuisine. (****)
Jennifer Mclagan: Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, With Recipes
Everything is going to be OK! Fat is back and it makes sense to eat it. Lard is lovely again. (****)
Samantha Clark: Moro East
The third Moro book is as good, if not better for day to day cooking, than the other two. After Mexican, I think my heart is in this Spanish/Moorish cuisine and these books help define the genre for me. (*****)
Ken Albala: Beans: A History
Now this is my kind of history! (*****)
Betsy McNair: Mexicocina: The Spirit and Style of the Mexican Kitchen
I like all the books in the Mexi series from Chronicle Books but this one makes me drool. And it seems to have the most practical kind of inspiration. (*****)
Eva Ayala: Miguel Covarrubias: 4 Visions
A beautiful book covering most aspects of his work, from the Indian art of the Americas to the Harlem renaissance to Bali. With Spanish and English text. I stupidly spent $75 on this book when I found it online without checking Amazon first! Bound to go out of print so don't hesitate if you have an interest. (*****)
Adriana Williams: Covarrubias
Miguel Covarrubias was a fascinating character, both in Mexico and New York. His wife Rosa was just as interesting. I first knew of him from his famous maps from the 1939 fair in San Francisco where he painted the Pacific ocean as the center of the world, as opposed to the Atlantic. This is just a cup of out of the ocean. (****)
Marie Pierre Colle: Frida's Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo
This is an inspiring book. The menus are smart and even though some of the recipes are a little vague, everything I've ever made from this book has been a winner. (*****)
Paula Wolfert: Mediterranean Grains and Greens: A Book of Savory, Sun-Drenched Recipes
This book is the opposite of New World food but it's one of my favorites. Like most books by Paula Wolfert, it's much more than just a collection of recipes. You learn how to be a better cook. (*****)
Charles C. Mann: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
This is a fascinating book that explodes myths. And it's a fun read as well. (****)
Michel Roux: Eggs
This is one of those simple, direct yet uncompromising books that sends you straight to the kitchen to experiment. (*****)
Angela Villalba: Mexican Calendar Girls: Chicas de calendarios Mexicanos
Another wonderful book on Mexican graphics. (****)
Rogelio Agrasanchez: Cine Mexicano: Poster Art from the Golden Age/Carteles de la Epoca de Oro 1936-1956
One of my favorite books. It's chock full of glorious movie posters and the book costs a lot less than collecting the posters!
Heidi Swanson: Super Natural Cooking: Five Delicious Ways: To Incorporate Whole & Natural Ingredients into Your Cooking
I love dishes without meat but I really tend not to be in love with vegetarian cooking. Heidi Swanson makes it painless to avoid meat by focusing on superfoods. Informative and fancy! Just like Heidi! (*****)
Luis Alberto Urrea: The Hummingbird's Daughter
I think this must have been one of the top 10 books I've ever read! A wonderful saga about a powerful young woman set first in Sinaloa and later in Sonora. Hacienda life, Indian and Spanish cultures and even some food make this a really great book. I really loved it. (*****)
Lorna Sass: Whole Grains Every Day, Every Way
Wasn't it Julia Child who said "I hate health food"? Sass, who is also the queen of the pressure cooker as far as I am concerned, makes eating better a little easier. And recommends some Rancho Gordo products in the process! (*****)
Deborah Madison: Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen
As usual, a great book from Deborah Madison, one of my favorite all-around chefs. Hey, hey look! She mentions Rancho Gordo! (****)
Marge Poore: 1,000 Mexican Recipes
Despite the uninspiring title, this is an excellent book for browsing or as a reference piece. It's almost 'Joy of Cooking', Mexican style. (****)
Patricia Quintana: CUISINE OF THE WATER GODS
The more I read Quintana's recipes, the more I want to cook. This is getting harder to get, so don't hesitate if you see it, new or used. (****)
Eliot Coleman: The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener (A Gardener's Supply Book)
This was the first book I read and it inspired me to take my hobby and make it a business. Still the best, as far as I know. (*****)
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I believe I've gone off the deep end, but before you tell me it couldn't have been a very long trip, let me tell you that I've been enjoying 100% pure corn tortillas thanks to this wonderful machine.
I bought it in Puebla and had it shipped back. I'm really thrilled to know that after all my trials I will now always have decent masa.
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I can smell it coming out of the machine! The only thing missing was catching a whiff of the masa hitting your comal. Wanted to see that tortilla hecha a mano! Not everyone thinks you're crazy.
Posted by: Jody | September 01, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Wow, you must go through a lot of masa! What does a machine like that cost?
I usually buy masa prepared by the pound (with the lard and sometimes herbs already mixed in) from one of the local Mexican bakeries or tamale makers. Making your own tamales is labor-intensive enough for me.
Posted by: Kitt | September 01, 2008 at 08:20 AM
that's pretty cool. If I had the space, I'd love to have one. But I guess I will just hit up Joan when I need the occasional bag of fresh masa. :)
Posted by: Anita / Married ...with Dinner | September 01, 2008 at 08:26 AM
None of the tortillerias nearby use actual nixtamal. They use masa harina. The current Rancho Gordo tortillas do use nixtamal but I only have access that on Friday nights and half the time they goof and I'm stuck. Also, we're experimenting by growing some different heirloom corns and now I can process them immediately.
I'm a little embarraresed how much the machine cost, but as you might guess, I can be somewhat driven. Somewhat.
Posted by: Steven Sando | September 01, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Great! I buy your new book, You go out and buy a new toy? Looks to me like you well have to sell many more books... Looks great, have fun...
Posted by: Phil | September 01, 2008 at 02:28 PM
That's really a fabulous machine, Steve. Really. I'm impressed.
Cristina
Posted by: Mexico Cooks! | September 01, 2008 at 03:49 PM
This machine is seriously cool. Too bad you don't live in the city -- you could rent us all turns at the Nixtamatic.
Posted by: jen maiser | September 02, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I'm looking for a machine to make fresh masa for tamales.
Where can I buy one at in the United States?
Thanks
Greg
Posted by: Greg Williams | September 02, 2008 at 07:02 PM
I'm looking for a machine to make fresh masa for tamales.
Where can I buy one at in the United States?
Thanks
Greg
Posted by: Greg Williams | September 02, 2008 at 07:03 PM
I pretty much love the thing. Greg, you could use it for tamales, but I don't know who sells these stateside.
I'm so glad you're all impressed!
Posted by: Steven Sando | September 03, 2008 at 03:48 PM
What a machine! I would love to own one to make my own fresh masa. There are not many places that sell fresh quality masa anymore. The one store I have relied on for many years has changed hands and, alas, their masa has changed too. Too much lard in their masa preparada and masa harina to boot. People can tell the difference. Do you think you will ever be the U.S. importer of this product?
Posted by: Rebecca | October 03, 2008 at 10:32 AM