Published by Konemann, 2004, hardcover, illustrated, index, 486 pages, 27.5 cms x 32 cms x 3.8 cms, condition: as new.
Spain - its cuisine is as colorful as the country is large. While to the north the traditions of the wandering herdsmen are still maintained and tracking dogs search out truffles, exotic fruits that entered the country with the Arabs flourish in the south. This Culinaria title whets your appetite to explore Spain with all your senses. It describes an incomparable panorama of cultural and culinary traditions, as well as an overview of the most important winegrowing regions of the land. Its 488 pages and more than 1,200 photographs clearly illustrate how landscape, climate, and various cultures have left their mark on the diverse cuisine of the country - from Alboraya in the Levant to Zaragoza in the north, from the omnipresent garlic mayonnaise alioli to zamburina mussels. More than 200 recipes drawn from every region ensure that the fascinating reading also becomes a feast for the palate.
"This is a beautifully illustrated coffee-table book about Spain that would make an excellent gift for anyone interested in either Spain or cooking or Spanish cuisine. Not strictly speaking a cookbook, there are some recipes but it is more of a cultural exploration. There are 1-2 page essays on all the key ingredients, wine, festivals, agriculture, cigars, history, etc. Arranged by geographic region. This is one big beautiful book!"
"This is my favorite set of cookbooks. These are like travel guides. Each region is carefully explained, and the food that region is known for is detailed. The pictures are exquisite. The books are so heavy that I have to get them down off the shelf for my mom and put her at the dining room table (as she's too little to hold these in her lap)! I have not made many of the recipes out of them, but I have made some tapias from Spain. They were good, but none of the recipes were exquisite. I have much better places for recipes. These are places for ideas. For looking at food and being consumed with the culture behind it."
