Kirjahaku

Beans—from the dawn of civilization they have been cultivated. They are one of the world's most nutritious and versatile foods. These legumes, along with peas and lentils (a group of legumes also known as "pulses"), are a staple food in virtually every country. In addition to cooking dried beans, the plant's leaves are eaten as green vegetables in some places, as are the immature pods. Fresh beans are removed from the pods and eaten, and beans dried in the pod and stored for future use are used to grow sprouts, or they are cooked. In some early cultures, beans were even used as currency. The recipes in this book are as varied as the people who created them, and they suggest a culinary trip around the world. The names are a giveaway—Red Bean, Crab, and Leek Soup; Bourbon and Black Bean Pie; Turkish White Haricot Salad; Lebanese Fava Bean and Chickpea Croquettes; Garlic and Basil Chickpea Tart; Syrian Lentil-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. The book provides a wealth of bean recipes, along with nutritional analyses, and a "lighter" version of each recipe for those on restricted diets. In his introduction, noted cookbook author Roy Guste Jr. discusses the history and nature of beans, describing the various types and the many methods of preparing them for use. While the number of different beans is vast (and their different names even more vast), Guste has simplified the categories by including the most frequently encountered names in this country. No cook's shelf should be without this book.

Roy Guste, restauranteur, chef, and cookbook author, in consultation with professional nutritionists at the Ochsner Medical Institutions, serves up our favorite New Orleans dishes minus the fat, calories, cholesterol, and salt.

Crayfish bisque, oysters Rockefeller, gumbo, blackened redfish, shrimp étouffée, jambalaya with andouille sausage—anyone who has had the pleasure of eating in New Orleans has his or her favorite dishes. In this book, Roy F. Guste presents a selection of choice recipes, from drinks to dessert, ranging from “Haute Creole” entrees like daube glacée to hearty red beans and rice. A native of New Orleans and trained as a chef in France, Roy F. Guste approaches cooking with wisdom and zeal. He accompanies the recipes here with reminiscences, anecdotes, and stories of the recipes' origin that only a few true Louisianans could know. He has simplified the steps of some of the grander recipes and has tested the recipes using only four saucepans and a skillet, and, for utensils, a kitchen fork, a wooden spoon, a spatula, a small whisk, two knives, and a chopping board. Only one recipe requires a blender. The key to his method, he emphasizes, is simplicity and freshness of ingredients. Mr. Guste has arranged the recipes under the headings of cocktails; appetizers; soups, bisques, and gumbo; fish and seafood; eggs and omelettes; chicken, duck, and squab; meat; rice and vegetable dishes; salads; vegetables; and desserts. The book is illustrated with elegant drawings of foods, utensils, and kitchens.