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Catalan Cuisine
by Colman Andrews

Synopsis
Catalonia, located in Spain's far north-east corner and centred around the port of Barcelona, has its own cuisine and culture which has spread to encompass Valencia, the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza), Andorra, the ancient region of France formerly known as Roussilon, and a single city on the Italian island of Sardinia. Colman Andrews explores this whole territory of Catalan cooking, from its French, Roman and Moorish roots to today's modern interpretation. Along the way he creates a portrait of the food, wine, history and culture of the region.

About the Author
Colman Andrews is the editor of Saveur magazine and an internationally acclaimed authority on the food and culture of Spain's Catalonia region. A restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times, a food and travel writer, and a cookbook author, Andrews has written for many leading publications. He is the author of two cookbooks, Catalan Cuisine and Flavors of the Riviera. Colman Andrews is listed in Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America, is a James Beard Foundation Awards Judge, and the recipient of a 1998 James Beard Foundation M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award.

An interesting recipe book and a good travel companion (November 2001)
Reviewer: (matiqua@genie.it) from Novara, Italy

Fascinated by the unusual Catalan flavours, I bought this book. At the beginning I was a little bit disappointed, because it is laid out in a strange way, by main ingredients, rather than by kind of plate (starters, main dishes and so on). But when I got used to it I was able to appreciate the research Andrews made before writing it. There are no pictures and, usually, I don't like cookbooks that lack them, but there are nice and interesting anectodes about every recipe and the description can partly substitute the photos. At the end there is a "normal" index, I mean with plates in the usual order, which I found quite useful. There is a nice introduction and interesting appendixes about Paisos Catalans and their history and legends. There is also aguide to the pronunciation of the different dishes, which can be really useful if you travel to Catalonia.

The recipes are always clear and easy to follow, even if sometimes the author is really a purist (when he suggests to make picada in a pestle and mortar), but you can use easier techniques. Finally I just want to say I'm glad I bought this book and I would suggest it to anyone that loves or just wants to discover Catalan flavours.

Buy this book and eat your way through Catalonia (May 2001)
Reviewer: "petersonreviews" (USA)

Catalan cuisine is ancient. It earliest roots go all the way back to the Romans who occupied northeastern Spain.

It uses many of the same ingredients as other Mediterranean cuisines -- tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, beans, pasta and all kinds of meat -- but it combines them in unexpected ways.

Who would expect salt cod with honey, for example? Catalan cuisine has it, and Colman Andrews presents its recipe here. And who would expect a restaurant which specializes in salt cod? Andrews tells us that Barcelona has one.

He says that one very unusual -- indeed unique -- feature of Catalan cuisine is its habit of mixing olive oil and lard together, in the same dish, as a cooking oil. Catalans also use butter as a cooking fat, making for rich, nourishing, tasty dishes.

Catalonia has both mountains and seashore. So one may find spiny lobster stew (Civet de Llogosta) on the one hand and Andorran-style trout (Truita de Riu Andorrana) on the other.

Turn any meal into a celebration of taste and delight! (May 2000)
Reviewer: Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

In Catalan Cuisine, Colman Andrews draws upon the great cooking traditions of Spain's Catalonia region. This superb collection of regional dishes showcases the simple and vibrant flavors in hundreds of Catalonia's best and beloved recipes ranging from Valencian Paella with Shellfish; Eggplant Flan; and Sweet Red Peppers Stuffed with Duck, to Salt Cod with Garlic and Paprika; Pork-Stuffed Apples, and Cinnamon Ice Cream with Warm Strawberry Coulis. The recipes are "kitchen cook friendly" and will turn any family meal into a celebration of taste and delight.

For fans of Spanish cuisine (February 2000)
Reviewer: Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

This study of Catalan cuisine provides an in-depth and excellent approach to the foods and customs of the Spanish province. No color photos, but the book is packed with not only recipes, but observations of the culinary traditions which make Catalan cuisine unique. An outstanding reference.

AUTHENTIC CATALAN FOOD mmmmm (December 1999)
Reviewer: A reader

I am a Catalan person living abroad, and sometimes it is difficult to explain to friends that Catalan food is something different to what everybody knows as Mediterranean food, since being totally Mediterranean, it is not Italian nor French. This books discovers the authentic taste of Catalan food, that, as the author says, HAS TO BE DISCOVERED. Try it and enjoy your meals. I can say that CATALAN FOOD IS ONE MILLION BETTER THAN ITALIAN AND FRENCH. It keeps simple and accentuated flavors with simple raw materials, but obtaining an PERFECT COMBINATION.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AUTHOR, and please continue plublishing thousands of more recipes of Catalan food.

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