Our book roundups continue to explore the diverse world of regional food. From African to Asian, and from Southern U.S. to Danish cuisine, these books offer a mouthwatering exploration of different culinary traditions. Join us on this flavorful adventure.
Discover the Delights of Regional Cuisine
Contemporary African Kitchen
Marc Bona's "The Contemporary African Kitchen" takes us on a culinary journey through Africa. With 120 mouthwatering dishes and drinks from Cameroon's Puff Puffs to Ghana's Cocoyam Pottage, along with bios of the chefs, it showcases the unique flavors of the continent. This book is a treasure trove for food enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the diverse culinary heritage of Africa.The recipes are not only delicious but also representative of the different nations within five geographic categories. It's a must-read for those who want to explore the rich and diverse world of African cuisine.Wok for Less
Ching-He Huang's "Wok for Less" focuses on budget-friendly Asian meals. With recipes like grilled char siu pork brioche burger and Scotch egg miso mushroom ramen, it offers a wide range of Asian flavors that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Even vegan options are included, making it accessible to a wider audience.This book is a great resource for those who want to enjoy Asian cuisine without breaking the bank. It shows that delicious Asian meals can be made easily and quickly, without sacrificing taste.Our South
Ashleigh Shani's "Our South" represents "Black food through my lens." With recipes divided into five regional areas - Backcountry, lowcountry, midlands, lowlands, and homeland - it brings to light the complexities of Black food. From rice middlins to brown butter apple pork chops and fish camp hush puppies, the book presents a testament to the diversity of southern cooking styles.It's not just about the recipes; it's about celebrating the heritage and culture behind the food. This book is a valuable addition to any collection of southern food literature.Aebleskiver
Pim Pauline Overgaard's "Aebleskiver" is a new take on traditional Danish pancakes. With a range of ingredients including a hashbrown dish with pickled beets and horseradish mayo, it takes us into the world of puffy pancakes. The book is a must-read for pancake lovers and those who want to explore Danish cuisine.It's not just about the pancakes; it's about the experience. The author's guidance and the variety of ingredients make this a truly unique culinary experience.Nicoise
Rosa Jackson's "Nicoise" is more than just a salad. It encompasses a variety of dishes from southern France and is billed as "Market-Inspired Cooking from France's Sunniest City." With more than 100 recipes that take a healthy approach to eating and cover a wide range of cooking, it's a cookbook that appeals to both health-conscious and food-loving readers.The author's 20 years of running a cooking school in France add to the credibility of the book. It's a must-have for anyone who wants to explore the flavors of southern France.Greekish
Georgina Hayden's "Greekish" uses her Greek-Cypriot heritage to put a spin on assorted recipes. From spiced honey calamari to spanakorisotto, the book presents a range of delicious Greek dishes. It breaks down recipes by meal, making it easy for readers to find the perfect recipe for any occasion.The book is not just about the food; it's about the culture and heritage behind it. It's a celebration of Greek cuisine and a must-read for anyone who loves Greek food.Amrikan
Khushbu Shah's "Amrikan" goes beyond butter chicken and offers 125 recipes covering the Indian-American diaspora. With ingredient, freezer, and storage notes, it shows how recipes have been adapted over the years. Many of the recipes use pantry staples, making it accessible to everyone.It's a great resource for those who want to explore Indian-American cuisine and learn about the different flavors and traditions. The book is a testament to the diversity of Indian-American food.Easy Indian Vegetarian
Chetna Makan's "Easy Indian Vegetarian" includes 70 everyday recipes divided into several categories. From pakora to poppadam, vegetarians will find a range of intriguing and flavorful dishes. The author's appearance on "The Great British Bake Off" adds to her credibility as a cook.This book is a great introduction to Indian vegetarian cuisine and is perfect for those who want to explore new flavors and cooking techniques.Italian Snacking
Anna Francese Gass's "Italian Snacking" presents more than 100 sweet and savory recipes "for every hour of the day." With a good regional primer preceding the dishes, it's a great resource for those who want to explore Italian cuisine. From caponata to crumb cake, the recipes cover a wide range of flavors.The title says it all - it's a must-have for anyone who loves Italian snacks and wants to explore the different regions of Italy.Nosh
Micha Siva's "Nosh" focuses on plant-based recipes from a Jewish perspective. With recipes like poppy seed, potato and caramelized onion kreplach and chickpea noodle vegetable soup, it offers alternatives to traditional dishes. Tips on shaping challah and a quick definition of Purim are also included, making it a valuable resource for those who want to explore Jewish cuisine.It's not just about the food; it's about the culture and traditions behind it. This book is a great introduction to plant-based Jewish cuisine.Mediterra
Ben Tish's "Mediterra" presents recipes from the islands and shores of the Mediterranean, offering a global diversity of dishes. From Spain to Italy to Greece, the book covers a wide range of flavors and cuisines. With the author's experience as a chef director at a company providing food to pubs and eateries, the recipes are sure to be delicious.It's a great resource for those who want to explore the flavors of the Mediterranean and learn about the different cultures and traditions.Bethlehem
Fadi Kattan's "Bethlehem" is subtitled "A Celebration of Palestinian Food" and presents recipes by season. From falafel to roasted pork leg to purslane dip, the book offers a glimpse into the unique flavors of Palestinian cuisine. The author's Franco-Palestinian heritage and his restaurants in London and Bethlehem add to the authenticity of the book.It's a must-read for anyone who wants to explore Palestinian cuisine and learn about the culture and history behind it.Flavor
Sabrina Ghayour's "Flavor" offers simple, flavorful, and economical recipes that are definitely not typical. From the incongruent sabich to salads and seafood, the Iranian-born chef-food writer presents a range of dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.It's a great resource for those who want to explore new flavors and cooking techniques. The book is a celebration of Middle Eastern cuisine and a must-read for food lovers.Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons
Diana Henry's "Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons" is an appreciation of spices and flavors from multiple regions. With chapters covering spices, fruits, curds, and whey, the book is a sensory experience. The artistic close-up photography adds to the appeal of the book, making it a must-have for food lovers.It's a great resource for those who want to explore different spices and flavors and learn about the different cultures and traditions.When Southern Women Cook
America's Test Kitchen's "When Southern Women Cook" is a comprehensive dive into southern cooking. With 300 recipes and contributions from 70 Southern women, it covers a wide range of dishes from broth to roux and cobblers to cakes. It also dives into food history from every nook of the American South, making it a valuable resource for anyone who wants to explore southern cuisine.It's a celebration of southern cooking and a must-read for food lovers.The Food of Southern Thailand
Austin Bush's "The Food of Southern Thailand" is an eye-opening guide to the cuisine of the region. With recipes, photos, and occasional step-by-step sketches, it offers a glimpse into the bold and spicy flavors of southern Thailand. The author's James Beard Foundation Book Award finalist status adds to the credibility of the book.It's a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the flavors of southern Thailand and learn about the culture and history behind the food.Midwestern Food
Paul Fehribach's "Midwestern Food" presents the underrated diversity of Midwestern cuisine. With relishes, cocktails, breads, and fair food, along with geographic lessons intertwined, it shows that Midwestern cuisine is more than just corn and burgers.It's a great resource for those who want to explore the hidden gems of Midwestern cuisine and learn about the different regions and cultures.Bookstores in Northeast Ohio are also worth checking out for sales and author visits. Some of the notable bookstores include Appletree Books, Fireside Books, Learned Owl Book Shop, Loganberry Books, Mac's Backs, and Visible Voice.I cover restaurants, beer, wine, and sports-related topics on our life and culture team. For my recent stories, you can check out our cleveland.com directory. WTAM-1100's Bill Wills and I talk food and drink around 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. You can also follow me on Twitter and IG: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy: "Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe" by Gray & Co.Want to know what's going on in the weekend? Sign up for cleveland.com's weekly "In the CLE" email newsletter. Our weekly DineDrink C-L-E podcast covers North Ohio's food and drink scene. Go to cleveland.com/topic/dinedrinkcle and follow @DineDrinkCLE on Instagram.
