Customer Reviews

The New Portuguese Table: Exciting Flavors from Europe's Western Coast

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This is THE new standard for Portuguese cookery books. There are so few good Portuguese culinary books available and this one is just lovely. David Leite is such a wonderfully engaging food writer and author and this book proves it once again. He has taken Portuguese recipes and has adapted them (and sort of Americanized some of them which is perhaps my only small "beef") to the home cook and has made them accessible.

The book begins with a "Quick Regional Gastronomic Tour" followed by a "Port Primer" and "Portuguese Pantry" all of which are both fascinating and helpful. Then comes a good range of mouthwatering recipes each with a paragraph or more of anecdotes and other interesting information. The photography is also lovely.

One of my favourite Portuguese dishes of all time is Baked Custard Tarts and I was tickled to see a recipe for these included in this book. YUM. Sometimes you might purchase a book and disappointingly only use one or two recipes but this book is chock-full of recipes that I have made or am making. They are great for the accomplished cook or the beginning cook. You will love the Duck Risotto with Ham and Sausage; Grilled Shrimp with Piri Piri Sauce; Sausage Tortilla; Sea Bass with Fennel and Orange; Goat Cheese, Walnut and Honey Triangles; Spicy Pumpkin Seeds; and so on. The back of the book contains "Sundries" recipes which are yummy such as Amped-up Red Pepper Paste and Piri Piri sauce.

This book really makes me want to return to Portugal and embark on a culinary tour. It is a must-buy for your cookery library whether you are fascinated by Portugal or not!