The Ethnic Food Lover's Companion

September 15, 2001
Those curious to explore virtually every cuisine on the planet have a new comprehensive guide to world cooking in Eve Zibart's "The Ethnic Food Lover's" "Companion." Zibart has not only meticulously researched the well-known ethnic cuisines of Western Europe but she has also mined the traditions of Asia, Africa, and South America in new ways. This is a handy guide not only to eating in ethnic restaurants in the U.S. but also for getting a good meal in almost every foreign country. For each cuisine, Zibart provides some history, describes major ingredients and cooking methods, identifies common dishes, and offers lists of dishes to assemble in a representative meal. For those who want to try some of these dishes at home, there are simple recipes reflecting each cuisine. Sticklers may quarrel with the author's occasional oversimplifications, and typographical errors mar what is otherwise a worthwhile reference tool and boon companion for the foodie traveler. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)