Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink

February 15, 2014
We are what we eatand American food is about as diverse as you can get. From the beignets of New Orleans to the cheesecakes of New York City (to drill further, Jewish, from the Lower East Side, or Italian, from Little Italy?), Americans enjoy a wide range of cuisines, which are chronicled in this easy-to-use and eminently readable book. Most of the entries in this revised edition have not changed from the previous, though many of the longer articles have been updated and expanded, and there are new entries for a few subjects, such as Molecular cuisine. Although it has been 14 years since the last edition was published, the most important revision has been the addition of biographies of people who contributed significantly to American cuisine. These biographies include obvious choicessuch as Craig Claiborne and Julia Childas well as those who greatly influenced the way Americans eat in more subtle but no less important ways, such as Upton Sinclair and Luther Burbank. This is an encyclopedia of nouns, not verbs, so though readers won't find definitions of cooking actions, such as tempering chocolate, they will find a detailed account of the history of chocolate use in America. Recipes as representative or as original as possible for classic dishes are included in a different typeface after appropriate entries. The instructions are pared down, as the author assumes some expertise, but they provide a fascinating look at dishes readers may have heard of but never tried. Just as interesting are the notes on the etymology of the names of ingredients, foods, and drinks as they evolved in American cuisine. Some subjects contain subheadings, for example Flour lists and defines 18 particular types of flour and their usage. The index is extensive. This volume is entertaining and enlightening, suitable for any food historian or home cook who is interested in having an easy guide to the foods of the U.S. and quick access to the most authentic recipes for classic dishes and drinks.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)